Meditations on Grudges
Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh. Apologize. Let go of what you can’t change. – George Carlin Around the world, cultures observe the passage from October to November as Halloween, Samhain, the Day of the Dead, All Saints Day and other celebrations of unseen energies. These days also prepare for the holiday season and all that can be left behind in the new year. Grudge comes from the now dead Middle English word “grutch,” which meant “to complain or grumble.” Vocabulary adds this bit of humor, “You know Grandpa’s been holding a grudge against the neighbors for years, but you have to wonder: How long can he hold that shotgun?” In “Why We Hold Grudges, and How to Let Them Go,” Psychology Today, reminds, “It’s not about the person who wronged you. It’s about who you want to be.” In “The Mental Health Effects of Holding a Grudge,” Very Well Mind reported, “Holding a grudge is when you harbor anger, bitterness, resentment, or other negative feelings long after someone has done something to hurt you.” The article mentions how the social life can suffer and lists grudge-holding physical problems, like, Cardiovascular Digestion Reproduction Sleep The immune system To release grudges, Recognize resentments Understand why they’re being held See the situation from the other person’s point of view Insist on becoming bigger and better than the situation Stop judging, especially yourself Read More In the meantime, take the Grudges That Became Great Feuds quiz below. And Succeed and Soar! Why hold a grudge? Click here to view. [5 minutes] Grudges That Became Great Feuds Match families to their issues. Answers below. Brooks-McFarland From 1865 to 1869 in Bell County, Texas, caused by lingering, Civil War resentments. Early-Hasley A West Virginia flare-up that lasted 30 years. Began because families chose different sides in the Civil War and/or the belief that a hog had been stolen. Earp-Clanton Four Corners, Texas from 1867 to 1871, provoked when a Confederate soldier came home and found it occupied by the “Union League,” which was protecting blacks and Union sympathizers. Hatfield-McCoy This feud eventually involved the Texas Rangers, Texas State Police. It killing began March 25, 1868 during an arrest for horse theft and ended by January, 1877. Horrell-Higgins In northwest Louisiana’s Claiborne Parish in the early 1890s, at least a dozen dead by gunfire. Most from ambush. Lee-Peacock Lampasas County, Texas, 1873. Began during attempted arrest of men carrying firearms [recently outlawed by state governor]. Lincoln County Feud From 1878 to 1890. Began as a vendetta between two, prominent West Virginia families that became a bitter war between local timber barons and businessmen Ramsey-Tuggle Began with the historic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, October 26, 1881. At that time, Arizona was a U.S. Territory and folks had to check their guns upon entering town. Reese-Townsend Between 1896 and 1902, in the Creek Nation of the old Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). It began with a botched holdup which was to originally include members of the other family. Sutton-Taylor Also called the Colorado County Feud, it ran from 1898 to 1907 and was caused by dissatisfaction with results from a local political race SkyScapes Journals Record your dreams, hopes, plans and achievements in these beautiful, inspiring notebooks. Details: 6” x 8, spiral notebook 120 pages, ruled on both sides Art printed on front Cover is thick paper stock. Back cover is medium gray Inside front and back covers have pockets for storing extra paper and pens View All Notebooks Thanks for shopping! Quiz Answers Early-Hasley From 1865 to 1869 in Bell County, Texas, caused by lingering, Civil War resentments. Hatfield-McCoy A West Virginia flare-up that lasted 30 years. Began because families chose different sides in the Civil War and/or the belief that a hog had been stolen. Lee-Peacock Four Corners, Texas from 1867 to 1871, provoked when a Confederate soldier came home and found it occupied by the “Union League,” which was protecting blacks and Union sympathizers. Sutton-Taylor This feud eventually involved the Texas Rangers, Texas State Police. It killing began March 25, 1868 during an arrest for horse theft and ended by January, 1877. Ramsey-Tuggle In northwest Louisiana’s Claiborne Parish in the early 1890s, at least a dozen dead by gunfire. Most from ambush. Horrell-Higgins Lampasas County, Texas, 1873. Began during attempted arrest of men carrying firearms [recently outlawed by state governor]. Lincoln County Feud From 1878 to 1890. Began as a vendetta between two, prominent West Virginia families that became a bitter war between local timber barons and businessmen Earp-Clanton Began with the historic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, October 26, 1881. At that time, Arizona was a U.S. Territory and folks had to check their guns upon entering town. Brooks-McFarland Between 1896 and 1902, in the Creek Nation of the old Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). It began with a botched holdup which was to originally include members of the other family. Reese-Townsend Also called the Colorado County Feud, it ran from 1898 to 1907 and was caused by dissatisfaction with results from a local political race Read More.
Worth Living For
As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer: Was I worth dying for? — Eleanor Roosevelt ThoughtCo says the human body is 65% oxygen, 18% carbon, 10% hydrogen and 3% nitrogen. Along with the calcium, phosphorous, rubidium, aluminum, arsenic, lithium and other elements, a person’s ingredients could be purchased for $1. When bodies are valued this way, George Carlin could believe, “War is rich old men protecting their wealth by sending lower and middle-class young men off to die.” What is war? Margaret Atwood said, “War is what happens when language fails.” Stephen King observed, “Fighting for peace, is like f***ing for chastity.” Bertrand Russell offered, “War does not determine who is right – only who is left.” More thoughts. What causes bloodshed? Leslie De Jong believes, “All war originates within as an internal conflict,” which Wellness Mind says can come from: discontent with what is [or is not] happening in someone’s life Intolerance Inability to forgive Low self esteem So, maybe, if battles inside leaders were settled, all that has to die for us are internal clashes. PsychCentral’s six steps include making time for ourselves and getting out into nature. LifeHack’s 40 ways to peace of mind list being kind, avoiding comparisons, getting enough sleep and frolic. BTW, DataGenetics believes the oxygen in human bodies is worth $9.83, the carbon eighteen cents. The 0.25% of us that is potassium is most valuable, $104. All told, they value a body at $160. What are you worth? Each November, readers are invited to support the effort and resources that produce Succeed and Soar. Keep this project going and growing. Invest Here. Thanks! Purchases of my art also help. Succeed and Soar‘s first Zoom Chat touched on the origins of the universe, why its beginnings from the explosion of a very tiny particle [the Big Bang] doesn’t make sense, Critical Race Theory’s Pittsburgh origin, how thought becomes physical matter and more. A fascinating and fun discussion. My goal is to build community that shares uplifting, enlightening conversations each first Thursday, 7pm Pittsburgh [Eastern US] time. Mark your calendar! This Ivan Doig novel tells of an eleven-year-old orphan who sets off for adventure instead of an orphanage. I was charmed by this story and felt hugged by the book.Charming, wise, and slyly funny, Last Bus to Wisdom is a last sweet gift from a writer whose books have bestowed untold pleasure on countless readers Book Browse Let’s discuss during December’s Succeed and Soar chat. Chicago Tribute Review Eleanor’s Wisdoms Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here