Counteracting jealousy, envy and resentment....

One of the most effective ways of counteracting jealousy and envy in ourselves is to say a prayer immediately for the intention of the person we resent.  - Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen; Lift Up Your Heart - A Guide to Spiritual Peace, p. 89.

i just watched an episode of Criminal Minds.  the bad guy got away and it was very creepy.  i don't like 'horror' flicks because i don't like letting that stuff get inside of me.  part of it is i was an early morning paperboy for years and those dark mornings were scary and i hated it.  but in college i met a guy named craig, that said something that has always stayed w/ me.  'i don't watch horror movies because i don't like exposing myself to evil.'

for me, i think i'm better off having taken craig's words to heart (i simply do not go to or watch hardcore horror flicks).  and yet, i like the tv show Criminal Minds.  (hmmm.  i wonder what that's about!) --  i do like the fact that the bad guy (usually) gets caught at the end.  i hate it when the bad guy doesnt get caught.  i love the idea that G-d is infinitely just and infinitely merciful -and ultimately, in G-ds measure, all will be well, even though it may not appear that way right now.

probably because i'm thinking about the reality of evil in the world (as i write this), these 3 words in todays quote are especially ugly to me tonight.

i was sharing w/ a friend that i've noticed being envious lately, and i'm working on it, because it makes me feel like crap.  it really does.  when i'm being shallow, things like jealousy, envy and resentment make me feel 'powerful' and, in a perverted way, 'good.'  --as i've grown spiritually, the thought of this makes me cringe.  yet, i can still do it at times.

i dont want to contribute to the evil in the world.  i really dont.  today, my intention is to notice when i begin to feel jealous, envious or resentful -and immediately begin praying for the person; grateful for G-d's mercy.