The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Mahatma Gandhi
Is it easier to be angry, retaliate, hit or forgive? For an easy answer, go to any preschool room and see what the children there usually display. You take my toy, I hit you, or I scream.
Or maybe I will tattle on you to the teacher. And don’t forget the one that holds the anger in and gets their revenge when the teacher is not looking. But you say, the teacher makes them say “I’m sorry” and then they forgive each other. Really? Did you always mean it when you were forced to apologize?
The time comes when you have to choose whether you will hang on to the anger and pain from the infraction committed by someone towards you or your loved ones. Or you can choose to forgive them which really means that you are acknowledging that what they did was definitely not right but not worth it to you to continue to carry as an emotional weight.
It takes someone strong and courageous to get up, dust themselves off and choose to walk away without carrying a grudge of bitterness and unforgiveness.
It means you are strong enough in your belief about yourself that you do not have to allow their actions to define who you are and what you do. It means that although they may have wronged you, you are not giving them the power to make you a victim. You are not giving them the power to take away who you are.
And it means that you may be strong enough to hold the belief about yourself that you are better than stooping to their level of action, whether they deserve it or not.
We all need forgiveness at some time for things we have said and done; we give forgiveness and hope that it will be returned when we need it. And depending on the action (such as abuse) it may mean that although you have forgiven them, you will not allow them the space in your life to continue to act out that behavior on you anymore. That takes strength too.
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