“Healing from Bitterness, One Step at a Time.”

“Transform Pain into Peace”

recent posts

about

🌸 About Me Hi, I’m Wanda— a writer, woman of faith, and lifelong learner on a journey of healing, forgiveness, and growth. 🌿 This blog was born from a place of reflection — learning how bitterness hardens the heart, and how grace softens it again. Through words, I’ve found freedom, and now I’m sharing that journey with others who are ready to release, rebuild, and rise. I believe healing isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. It’s about taking inventory of your heart, uprooting what no longer belongs, and learning to live with open hands. Here, you’ll find reflections on emotional wellness, daily writing prompts, faith, and resilience — all meant to remind you that it’s never too late to begin again. 💫 Welcome to a space for growth, grace, and peace.

  • What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

    Music & Dance: -Salsa, Merengue

    Food Traditions: Arroz con gandules, Pasteles

    Language & Expression: Spanglish😂

    Language & Expression: Gatherings and Family connections.

    “Even though I wasn’t born in Puerto Rico, my Puerto Rican heritage has always been a big part of my life. I grew up with my Puerto Rican side of the family, who were born on the island, and they made sure to pass down traditions that keep me connected to my roots. One of the biggest ways I’ve experienced my culture is through food. I was taught how to cook the real Puerto Rican way, using the same recipes and flavors that have been in my family for generations. Cooking and sharing these meals reminds me of my heritage, my family’s stories, and the pride of being Puerto Rican, no matter where I was born.”

  • What things give you energy?


    Writing, brainstorming, or learning something new often leaves me more energized than when I started. And when I add gratitude into the mix — pausing to appreciate small wins or moments of joy — my energy multiplies.


    In short, my energy doesn’t just come from sleep or food; it comes from habits, people, and perspectives that help me feel alive and focused.

  • Bitterness Rots the Hand That Holds It – Part II: The Release of the Grip

    If bitterness is a silent poison, release is the antidote. But here’s the hard truth: letting go rarely feels natural. Our pain whispers, “Hold on—…

    Bitterness Rots the Hand That Holds It – Part II: The Release of the Grip

  • Bitterness Rots the Hand That Holds It – Part II: The Release of the Grip

    If bitterness is a silent poison, release is the antidote. But here’s the hard truth: letting go rarely feels natural. Our pain whispers, “Hold on—it’s the only justice you have left.” Our pride insists, “If you forgive, they win.” And so, we grip the thorny branch tighter, not realizing it’s our own hand that continues to bleed.

    Release doesn’t mean forgetting. It doesn’t mean excusing the wrong or pretending it didn’t matter. Release is choosing not to let the past control the present. It’s loosening your grip on what is killing you from the inside.

    Why We Struggle to Let Go

    We confuse forgiveness with weakness. We fear being hurt again. We cling to the illusion of control—believing that holding on somehow protects us.

    But bitterness never protects. It only corrodes.

    Steps Toward Release

    Name the Weight Write down what (or who) you are holding onto. Naming the source of bitterness weakens its power. Shift the Focus Ask yourself: What is bitterness costing me? Peace? Joy? Energy? Relationships? Acknowledge the toll. Create Healthy Boundaries Release doesn’t mean re-entering toxic cycles. You can forgive and still keep distance. Choose Small Acts of Letting Go Journaling your feelings instead of replaying them. Speaking one kind word about the person instead of another word of resentment. Replacing “Why me?” with “What now?” Seek Support Healing rarely happens in isolation. Whether it’s a friend, a counselor, or your faith community—invite others into the process.

    The Turning Point

    Release is less about the person who hurt you and more about reclaiming yourself. When you loosen your grip, you don’t lose—you gain. You gain clarity, strength, and the freedom to heal.

    Bitterness whispers, “Hold on.”

    Healing whispers, “Let go.”

    The decision is yours.

    In the final part of this trilogy, we’ll explore what life looks like on the other side of release—when your hand, once rotted by bitterness, becomes whole and strong enough to build again.

    forgiveness, emotional freedom, healing, self-growth

  • A message from the Trilogy

    Bitterness is poison we carry in our hands.

    . it begins in silence, eating away at our peace.

    . it tightens its grip, convincing us that holding on is strength.

    . But when we release it , our hands are free to heal, to build, to embrace life again.

    Bitterness rots the hand that holds it.

    Healing brings back what is released.

  • Bitterness Rots the Hand That Holds It – Part I: The Silent Poison

    Bitterness doesn’t shout when it enters our lives. It slips in quietly, often through the cracks of hurt, betrayal, or disappointment. At first, it feels justified—like a shield protecting us from being wounded again. But over time, what was once a shield becomes a prison.

    Bitterness is a silent poison. It doesn’t just linger in our thoughts; it seeps into our words, our choices, even our bodies. We replay the offense over and over, keeping the wound fresh instead of letting it heal. Meanwhile, the one who hurt us may have moved on, completely unaware of the storm raging within us.

    The truth is harsh but liberating: bitterness harms us more than it harms anyone else.

    It eats away at peace of mind. It fuels anger and resentment. It can affect physical health, contributing to stress, fatigue, even illness.

    Think of it this way: holding bitterness is like gripping a thorny branch. The tighter we hold on, the deeper it pierces our skin. We bleed, not the one who planted the thorn.

    Recognizing the Signs

    You might be carrying bitterness if you:

    Rehearse past wrongs like a script you can’t forget. Feel resentment rise every time a name or situation is mentioned. Struggle to celebrate others’ joy or success. Sense heaviness, even in moments that should feel light.

    The First Step

    Awareness is the beginning of healing. Naming bitterness breaks its silence. It’s the first crack in the wall that allows light to come through.

    You don’t need to know how to let go yet—that comes later. For now, simply notice: Am I holding on to something that’s hurting me more than helping me?

    This trilogy will walk with you through that process—first by recognizing the poison, then by loosening its grip, and finally by experiencing what it feels like to have healing hands.

    Next: Part II – The Release of the Grip

  • Hello World!

    About Me

    Hi, I’m Wanda,

    This blog, “Bitterness Rots the Hand That Holds It,” began as my personal reflection on how holding on to resentment and pain was quietly shaping my life. Through writing, I discovered that bitterness doesn’t just stay in the past—it seeps into the present and steals our peace.

    Here, I share stories, reflections, and lessons on:

    Recognizing the silent poison of bitterness Learning how to let go and release Finding healing, forgiveness, and freedom Building a life rooted in peace, gratitude, and growth

    My hope is that as you read, you’ll see pieces of your own story—and be encouraged to take steps toward your own healing journey.

    This space isn’t about perfection. It’s about honesty, transformation, and choosing to live with open hands instead of closed fists.

    Welcome—I’m glad you’re here.