Forgiveness is for the Strong

Ghandi once said "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong." Isn't that true? Isn't it much easier to fight and scream and hold a grudge? When someone hurts your feelings, at first, it makes you much happier to say mean things behind their back and to say they don't deserve your forgiveness. Perhaps they don't. Forgiveness isn't just about the other person though, it is mostly about yourself.

When you forgive someone, regardless if they apologize or if they even are sorry, you are acknowledging to yourself that you are strong. You are going to let whatever that person said or did to you roll of your back. You acknowledge that they are human and make mistakes and so do you. Forgiveness allows you to tell yourself that no one can make or break you.

After the happiness fades of holding that grudge, all you'll be left with are feelings of sadness over a lost friend or jealousy or anger. You'll feel bound to that person and only with these words: I forgive you, will you set those feelings free. You don't even have to say it to the person, you just have to mean them when you say them in your mind.

So forgive. You'll feel lighter and happier in the long run. I'll leave you with a quote from the Bible for those religious...

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

-Matthew 6:14,1