Comments on: Bitter to Better

By: Caroline Fan

Caroline Fan — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:27:10 +0000

A lovely and reflective article. I’m glad I came across this, it’s something I used to struggle with but I’ve come out the other side. I think especially in progressive politics, it’s easy to be bitter about primaries or bitter about how a bill we’re passionate about came this close to passing but didn’t.

At the end of the day, it’s partially about expectations. Someone very smart once said,
HAPPINESS = REALITY – EXPECTATIONS

so if our expectations are outsized, we will be disappointed. I find this formula works whether it’s for small things like hype about a movie or restaurant, or if candidates make promises about moving sweeping agendas and fail to do so. So it’s been a helpful barometer for me.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:53:35 +0000

What a thoughtful piece about bitterness, which is an issue that I’m working through. Thanks for the insight.

By: Belinda Munoz

Belinda Munoz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:04:55 +0000

Hi Jane, thanks for reading, for your comment and for the compliments! BTW, Pc speaks very highly of you.

I’m glad you brought up the domino effect. The hardest part is getting started, getting unblocked. But after that, it’s so liberating that you have to wonder why you held on to bitterness for so long.

By: jane woodman

jane woodman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:38:09 +0000

hi belinda -

i found your post by way of pc. i just wanted to say how fantastic it is, and very inspiring. this particular post got to me because i’ve probably gone through everything you talked about; in a different way of course. i keep reminding myself to let go and move forward – release the blame on yourself and others, and take control of the flow of positive things into your life. it is difficult at first, but once it takes, it’s like a domino effect, and feels great. people and loved ones will start to take notice, and your life will change. thanks again.

By: Micropixie

Micropixie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:40:17 +0000

I love this Belinda, thank you for saying it so clearly.

empee, x

By: Geri Langlois

Geri Langlois — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:53:02 +0000

Hey Belinda, very nice post. I was once that progressive candidate (for State Rep) that all my supporters worked so very hard for. I won many elections and then lost one and it did take me and my supporters a long time to get over it. Your suggestions for releasing the bitterness are right on target. Sometimes I have to remind myself that when one door closes another one opens.

By: Everything Counts

Everything Counts — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:13:50 +0000

Quite a thought provoking post and also quite informative. Thanks for sharing both the knowledge as well as the ideas.

By: Jai kai - SharingSuccess.TV

Jai kai - SharingSuccess.TV — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:39:34 +0000

I think for myself I may have some bitterness towards my parents because of the fears they may have passed on to me from their belief systems. I have now been able to successfully let those fears go and forgive them. In fact I look at it as a great learning experience to get me where I am today… so god bless them…. and thank you for a wonderful post.

By: Mimidsay

Mimidsay — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:38:30 +0000

Belinda,

After reading your post I felt an inside fire begin to ignite. I wanted to blurt out all the reasons I have for bitterness, and wanted to be validated and justified, which is another part of human nature not to be ignored. Perhaps you could write on that topic someday…You take on such a difficult topic here, though, I really have to commend you.

After I thought about my own bitterness for a little bit, and the things I wanted to blurt, I felt those flames do thier work — at my core was a discovery: You are talking about the Parable of the Sower, here. Whether we are strewn into the fertile grounds where our seeds may flourish— or not, we were still given the gift of life. I believe this is the truth that Jesus was trying to portray in the parable of the Sower. Thank you for inspiring these thoughts in me, these self confrontations. All we can do is work through bitterness through inspiration and change our minds as we take on different perspectives. Not easy but possible.

Blessings,
The Mimid, a new reader and fan of PC Munoz’ writing.

By: Fr. Michael

Fr. Michael — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:51:20 +0000

Great points Belinda. I once heard a sermon once and the priest made a great point that has always stayed with: suffering can make you either bitter or better. It’s the difference of one letter, but it’s a huge difference. We can make the choice to become bitter or better when we encounter suffering or disappointment.