Be careful who you poison.

Resentment is like taking poison hoping the other person will get sick.

Resentment is an unmet expectation.
Resentment: Indignation or ill will felt as a result of a real or imagined grievance.

Do you have any resentment?

Think about the people you resent. You know them when you see them. What do you do? Increasing irritability and difficulty letting go of resentment can be signs of depression.

I am in a decent place right now but it doesn’t take long to begin to feel resentful toward a person especially if I don’t deal with my sense of frustration or hurt immediately.

I don’t like resentment for I am the one who gets sick—not the person I am resenting. So now I attempt to address my issues with another person upfront and as soon as possible. I feel so much better. Sometimes it is only after the fact and I notice my feelings, then I make myself go to the person and let them know what I am feeling. I find that I am much less sarcastic. I do it for myself. I sleep better as a result. And I find I spend considerably less time working through forgives or attempting to forget.

Even with the simple things.

For example, the other day it was pouring the rain and I pulled into my parking lot where I have a reserved space that is clearly marked “private parking” only to find a new Lexus 330 in my spot. Rather than completely fuming over the issue I decided to find a public parking space two blocks away and walk to my meeting in the rain. Once I arrived I searched for the person who owned the car who just so happened to be attending the AA meeting in the next room. I asked her to please move her car. I did not act angry or blame her or justify my actions I just named what was real. Her reaction was a little self-centered, she said, “I am going to get wet.” (Hey, welcome to my world!) Then she said, “Are there any places to park around here?” I told her I found a place two blocks away in the public parking that perhaps she could start there… and then I let it go and walked away. She did not apologize. I went on to lunch and left the space empty only to move my car an hour later. She wanted to make her actions my problem. I worked my program and she had an opportunity to work hers as a result.

Had I not confronted her I would have been troubled by her actions and become resentful and eventually become angry at the next person who parked there but instead I addressed it immediately and as a result I honored myself and her in the process.

Poison is substance that causes injury, illness, or death. Resentment poisons me.