Why it’s important to forgive.
Have you been hurt by a friend or somebody close to you?
When someone does something that makes you upset or angry, you may feel that pain and dismiss it or hold a grudge for a long time.
There’s something that’s even better to do, and it’s called forgiveness.
Forgiveness means you are ready to move on from that pain and not let that hurt control your heart anymore.
Nobody is saying forget it has ever happened, but it is much more important to forgive than letting it build up and fester inside.
When we hold onto our hurt and anger, it makes us feel much worse inside.
Have you noticed that you hold on to that pain, you have restless nights or thinking about that situation repeatedly, while the other person who caused that pain may not even think twice about how bad it affects you?
I know it’s not always easy to forgive.
You might feel like the other person does not deserve your forgiveness, and that is completely okay.
True forgiveness takes time, and you do not have to rush that process.
But when you choose to forgive, you are showing how strong you are.
Forgiveness is not a weakness.
It is a sign of a brave and kind person.
So how can you learn to forgive?
You can talk about your feelings with somebody that you trust, like a friend, counselor, mentor, or family member.
You can analyze what happened.
Was it a mistake?
Did they apologize, and are they trying to make it right?
Being kind to the person that hurt you, even if you are still a little hurt.
This can help both of you heal and keep a healthy relationship.
What if you are the person who hurt someone else?
Maybe you did not mean to, but they still got upset.
It’s important to say, “I’m sorry” and be genuine with your apology.
A good apology means that you know what you did wrong, you feel bad for what you did, and you try your best not to do it again.
I’ve read some where that saying “I’m sorry” means change, and it was a very good point.
It’s important that after apologizing to somebody, you make sure not to make the same mistake because that can ruin trust and the relationship if you keep doing the same thing that has caused them hurt.
When you do say sorry, it can help the other person feel better and show that you care.
Forgiveness doesn’t have to be about big things; it can be small things too.
You can practice forgiveness every day.
The more you do it, the easier it is to understand how that action has hurt you and how to move on from it.
Remember forgiveness is not only for the other person, but also for your own well-being.
So, the next time some one makes a mistake, take a deep breathe, and try to forgive at your own healthy pace.
You will be glad you did!