Better Than Bitter

There are any number of awful things that happen in life. Things like heartbreak, sickness, financial difficulties,  and all sorts of losses take joy from our lives.  When these things happen we are faced with a choice. 

Choice 1 experience the difficulty, allow ourselves to be sad, angry, or any other emotion,  in time focus on things that give us joy, look forward to brighter days, forgive ourselves and others allow ourselves to be happy again.  

Choice 2 experience the difficulty, allow ourselves to be sad and angry, focus on our anger, deprive ourselves of the things that bring joy out of fear that bad things will happen again, spend our time stressed over all possible negative outcomes,  punish ourselves and others repeatedly for past mistakes, and deprive ourselves of joy and happiness.

I don't know what think, but choice 1 sounds better to me.  Choice 2 leaves you bitter.  Choice 1 leaves you better than bitter.
I had the privilege of hearing President Obama speak this weekend.   He said "Sarcasm is a choice but hope is a better choice."  When difficult times come make the choice that is better than bitter.  Make the choice that gives you hope.  
How do you move on from difficult times without being bitter?
This post is in response to a writing prompt from Mama Kat's Losing It.