Forgiveness
We have been in a situation where someone hurts us, and sometimes we look at the magnitude of the offense, and we say that we won't forgive the person. Is forgiveness an easy thing, or is it just a mirage? Do we mean the word I forgive you?
Forgiveness is a phenomenon that is as old as man. From the days of the cavemen to the contemporary era, forgiveness has always been a topic of debate. Sometimes, as humans, we find it difficult to let go of a wrong done to us. The magnitude of the offense might be small but the offender is one who we do not believe would hurt us.
I remember a friend who held a grudge against his roommate simply because his roommate misplaced his earpiece. When I asked him why he found it difficult to forgive his roommate, he simply said, "he knows how much I valued the earpiece. "
Forgiveness is essential if we are to grow as humans and live in a society free of hate and rancor. Some wars were started because one party felt hurt and didn't see the need for forgiveness.
Imagine since we were born and the number of persons that have hurt us. Can we truly keep grudges with all of them? Unforgiveness to me is a heavy burden, and it is not good for our mental health. Imagine seeing a person and remembering their offense and the feeling of hurt that will be reignited. Carrying that hurt will weigh you down.
We need to forgive ourselves so that we can have a good relationship with people, and also, you don't know if help will come from that person you have stopped talking to because they hurt you. To me, I always look at offenses from the angle of ignorance. I believe my offender did not understand what he or she was doing.
Let's live our lives knowing that offenses will always arise. Forgiveness is key to our mental health and growth as a person. Get that burden of unforgiveness off your shoulders.