Why Is It So Hard to Let Go of Grudges?

We all have some displeasing memories from the past that still make our blood boil. Why are those grudges so hard to let go of?

5:15

4

Learning Goal: Conflict Resolution

Grades: 6-8 | Activity Type: Extension | Status: X Original | Remix

Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District

Part

1 of 4

PLACE

VIDEO HERE

On a scale from 1 to 10,

how much did you relate when he was explaining that replaying a memory in your mind can cause your body and emotions to react as if it was happening for real?

He mentioned that it’s really

tough for us to let things go even though it would be better for us. How would the world be different if nobody ever held a grudge (or an embarrassing memory) and we could all just easily “let things go”?

Part

2 of 4

PLACE

VIDEO HERE

What were your big takeaways from his explanation of the reasons why grudges and revenge might exist in the first place?

He mentioned that people have a

tendency to take out our grudges, anger, etc. on the wrong people. E.g., somebody makes us furious and we end up blowing up at someone who did something tiny.

Without naming names, have you ever been on the receiving or giving end of one of these mis-directed blow-ups?

Part

3 of 4

PLACE

VIDEO HERE

What connections do you see between what he’s explained so far and the quote, “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”?

Part

4 of 4

PLACE

VIDEO HERE

When he was suggesting that “letting

it go” and “forgiving” is better for our own wellbeing, he made a big point that “forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or approving of what happened.” Why do you think he emphasized this so much?

On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you agree with his suggestion that “forgiving” and “letting it go” is a better idea than holding a grudge?

Nice work! To recap, we learned more about: