We have all been tainted by our upbringings, environment, friends, and lovers who have hurt or deceived us. Not one of us is an exception to this. Consequently, this negativity is embedded within us, and it is our responsibility to eradicate it.
Forgiveness.
It’s not an easy process, but sometimes, the anger, pain, frustration, and grudges we hold towards others, is what causes us to perpetuate the pain and negativity we’ve encountered in our own lives. To forgive, is to set yourself FREE. To let go of the negativity, is not releasing accountability from those who may have wronged you, but allowing yourself to be at peace, and move forward.
“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”– Robert Muller
It’s one of the hardest things to do. I have struggled with forgiveness myself. It’s the people who know you the best that can and will hurt you the most. This makes forgiving even more difficult and challenging. Here is what has helped me throughout my process.
Compassion. Understanding. Tolerance.
“You will know when forgiveness has begun, when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well” –Lewis B. Smedes
Somewhere along the way, we have been at fault for causing negativity in someone’s life. We’ve all been crap talkers, judgers, joke makers, finger pointers, back stabbers, phony, something or others. That behavior and those actions more than likely stem from your own personal pain.
We’ve all created negativity or perpetuated it in some form or fashion. It’s easy to place blame on the next person, and say, “yes, he or she is a ….”
Looking at yourself helps to have compassion for the person who has hurt you most.
As I mentioned before, we’ve all been through something in our lives. We all have issues. Things we’re working on. We’re all a little crazy, and we’re all tainted. Regardless of this reality, much of the negativity we create or have created is because of our issues. Our past hurt and pain impedes on our daily lives, and affects some of the people we care about most, or even just your everyday encounters, and relationships.
This holds true for other individuals as well, including that person you so despise. He or she may have acted towards you negatively, not because they had a vendetta against you, but their personal pain causes them to cause pain to others. You acknowledge that somewhere along the way you have been tainted. Now, acknowledge that the person, who has wronged you, was also tainted along the way. The need for tolerance is key, when you come across a person who you feel lacks particular qualities, or whose actions are less then appealing.
Forgiveness can be the most difficult thing when you have been wronged. When you can finally let go, forgiveness will release you. This doesn’t mean you let them in your life again. You can keep, and maybe should keep them as far away possible. That is up to your personal discretion. However, forgiveness can still occur, miles away, in your heart, and your soul. Have compassion, understanding, and tolerance; for yourself and others. You too are not perfect, and have by chance caused the same heartache in another person’s life. Knowing this, you can only pray that you have also been forgiven.
Be Well.
“dont be too proud to appreciate another persons wisdom”
“Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don’t want the other person to forget we forgave.” – Ivern Ball
