Dec 22 2011
Forgiveness…
I like to think that I am a fairly forgiving human being. I don’t feel it’s ever a healthy thing to hold on to past grudges and bitterness. I have tried to live a good life and be a good person, though I am sure I fell short on many occasions. I worry about how people are doing, what’s going on in their lives, and how they are feeling. It’s something I have always done well:worry. Lately I have been thinking a lot about what forgiveness really means. To me it means letting go of my feelings of hurt and anger towards someone who has been unkind or mean. I know it sounds easy enough, but it really isn’t. No matter how well you are raised, great manners and all, hurt still hurts. It’s hard to let go when the other person stays mean and vindictive. It’s hard to let go when the other person may never apologize or recognize their wrongful actions. What are we left to do? Forgive? I have to admit after much reading and soul searching, this is the best option. I can now rest at night a lot easier and feel much better about what my choices are. We all have the right to choose to stay in the anger and resentment or we can choose to forgive. Not in a condescending way or with pity, but true forgiveness. I think it has to be practiced, the first time or two is not easy. You may feel like it’s a piece of cake to do this but trust me, it takes great discipline and effort. I have to pray and ask for strength and guidance to be completely honest. The reason to do this… I want to live a longer, healthier and less stressful life. In order to do that with pride and dignity, I have to let that other stuff “go.” I will not do this well every time, but I can try my best to be more aware of it’s benefits. Even if the other person wants to hang on to the negative stuff, I can choose to let it go. There is great relief, even a sense of freedom to my new thinking. I am happy to report the one or two people I have struggled to forgive, are now, forgiven. They don’t want to be forgiven, but frankly, I don’t care, they just are. This does far more for me than I could have ever hoped for. A clean slate, a sense of well being, a gesture to love your life more. I want to encourage anyone out there with those trapped feelings of anger, resentment or bitterness to examine your heart and soul. Decide whether to live in a happier more peaceful existence or stay trapped by old, negative feelings. Choose happy over mad and angry, it will bring more joy and contentment to your life. Forgive someone, be kind and live a happier life. Merry Christmas!
