Forgiveness for goodness

“Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.”

- Suzanne Somers

Forgiveness can be tricky. Forgiving others and ourselves is something we choose to do or not do. It’s up to us. Some things are easier to forgive than others, like forgetting a birthday or showing up late. Some things are much tougher to forgive, like being intentionally hurt or intentionally hurting ourselves, whether physically or emotionally. We can learn to be much easier on ourselves by expressing more forgiveness toward ourselves and others.

I have had difficulty in the past forgiving others for how they treated me. Whether it was family, friends or coworkers, I had a tendency to hold a grudge and have contempt toward those who I feel did me wrong. I was all about seeking revenge too. Most of the poor treatment I endured affected my mental and emotional health. People would bring me down with their words and I allowed it to fester inside me. I could not let it go. I felt the need to retaliate, never physically, but I would attack people verbally and do my best to make them feel bad. It wasn’t pretty, and it never really solved anything.

Photo by Ashlyn Smith on Unsplash

One I started allowing myself to let it go, and not retaliate when people would put me down, I realized how I was able to have more control over my mood. I did not have to feel slighted or the need to get in the last word. I…