Forgiveness = Freedom

[slobake]

Did you every notice how much work it takes to stay angry and or resentful with someone? I know when I get in that space I am making myself a prisoner to that person. Everything I do when they are around is in response to them. The more people that are on my you-know-what list the more work it is.
On the other hand when someone is acting that way towards me it is so great when I can not react and just keep treating them with love and respect. Sometimes they realize they have no power of me and just give it up.
Did you ever re-live something that happened some time ago and get worked up all over again? I hate it when I do that. I think “Man, I thought I was done with this? I guess I need to forgive them again.” Eventually I realize that it is nothing more than a bad memory.
Forgiveness = Freedom IMHOP.

 

[MatticusMania]

I agree, 100%.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I concur.
You are showing your SF stripes pretty hard here lol.
Wish I lived there.

 

[Kaa]

Slobake, I forgive you.

(William Wallace voice) "Freeeeeeeeedooooooommmmmmmm!!!!!!"

 

[Relic]

I agree. I try to live by that rule, lord knows it's hard sometimes though..

 

[elgecko]

Don Henley would suggest that forgiveness is in fact the Heart of the Matter

 

[slobake]

I agree. I try to live by that rule, lord knows it's hard sometimes though..

You must have met my brother-in-law.

 

[1958Bassman]

I have a hard time forgiving anyone who took advantage of me when they know I would usually do anything for some people. Those who did this are no longer in that group- in their case, I won't even pee on them if they were on fire.

 

[Unrepresented]

Forgiving is a concession that you're too weak to achieve the vengeance you ache for.

 

[MatticusMania]

"Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future." - Louis B. Smedes

 

[slobake]

Slobake, I forgive you.

(William Wallace voice) "Freeeeeeeeedooooooommmmmmmm!!!!!!"

That is HUGE right there.

 

[slobake]

My mom held grudges all her life. I don't think she ever forgave anyone and she was miserable most of her life. She eventually just died, the doctors said there was nothing wrong with her, she just didn't want to live anymore. When I got to Hemet from San Francisco she couldn't speak anymore. The last thing I remember about her was the angry look in her eyes the last time they were open. I don't want this to be my fate.

 

[Unprofessional]

Yes. You don't realize how much energy you're expending on a good hate until you stop it. It's really quite astonishing.

 

[bassinplace]

Take it Elvis;

"As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.

I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time i feel like this inside,
There's one thing i wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

And as i walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

'cause each time i feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?


So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

'cause each time i feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?"

 

[Woodchuck]

Forgiving is a concession that you're too weak to achieve the vengeance you ache for.

It also means "freedom" for the person that screwed you.

 

[Kwesi]

I'm not a vengeful person but I've never understood why forgiveness has to be a "thing." Not that one can't forgive but rather why it always seems to be pushed so hard. I simply think that you shouldn't let any particular negative moment in your life lord over you but forgiving whoever may have caused that moment is completely optional. Do so at your leisure.

 

[MatticusMania]

I'm not a vengeful person but I've never understood why forgiveness has to be a "thing." Not that one can't forgive but rather why it always seems to be pushed so hard. I simply think that you shouldn't let any particular negative moment in your life lord over you but forgiving whoever may have caused that moment is completely optional. Do so at your leisure.

Because the key to actualizing "that you shouldn't let any particular negative moment in your life lord over you " is to forgive someone.
It takes strength to let go of the transgressions a person can commit against another.
A weak minded person will be consumed by that event and not let go.
Remember, too, that forgiving does not mean forgetting.
It doesnt mean that you accept that person back and grant that person the position that they once held in your life.

"Forgiveness doesn't mean reconciliation - nor does it mean you have to allow a behavior that can hurt you to continue to hurt you. Forgiveness is, in essence, the acknowledgment inside of yourself that the person who has wronged you in some way is a fallible human being - and that, like a human being, they made a mistake worthy of your forgiveness."

 

[Relic]

You must have met my brother-in-law.

Actually, I was thinking about my ex sister in law! By far probably one of the most evil persons I've ever met.. it's a struggle to forgive some of the stuff she's pulled. One way that I can do so is to try to bear in mind that she's a bit ill mentally.

 

[Kwesi]

Because the key to actualizing "that you shouldn't let any particular negative moment in your life lord over you " is to forgive someone.
It takes strength to let go of the transgressions a person can commit against another.
A weak minded person will be consumed by that event and not let go.
Remember, too, that forgiving does not mean forgetting.
It doesnt mean that you accept that person back and grant that person the position that they once held in your life.

"Forgiveness doesn't mean reconciliation - nor does it mean you have to allow a behavior that can hurt you to continue to hurt you. Forgiveness is, in essence, the acknowledgment inside of yourself that the person who has wronged you in some way is a fallible human being - and that, like a human being, they made a mistake worthy of your forgiveness."

Ah, alright. That makes a lot of sense. So far I agree with everything but the last bit of the final line:

Forgiveness is, in essence, the acknowledgment inside of yourself that the person who has wronged you in some way is a fallible human being - and that, like a human being, they made a mistake worthy of your forgiveness."

Definitely something worth thinking about though.

 

[UncleFluffy]

Often, people become the things they haven't forgiven. You hang on to stuff too long ... you end up shaping yourself around it.