Forgiveness is hard. That much I understand. It sometimes feels like the hardest thing in the world. But carrying hatred inevitably harms you. Failing to practice forgiveness is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
It starts slowly, soaking into your soul like a poison, attaching itself to your most fragile parts and callousing over. Pieces of you that were once soft and innocent become dark and rigid. Other’s don’t recognize this new version of yourself, and soon you won’t recognize yourself either.
But hatred feels good.
Hating that person validates what they’ve done. It makes you feel like you have control over what happened, how it made you feel, and how the outcome will change you. I know it’s not fair, but it happened. Shit happens. People do unforgivable things. I’m sorry they weren’t more gentle.
But allowing your soul to be darkened by hatred is a mistake. The bitterness will block your sight of the sun on the days you need it most. People do things we may not understand but giving them the power to make your life dark won’t actually change what happened. You may think you feel better by not forgiving them, but you won’t. You never will.
We were given this life for a purpose far greater than resentment. And every day you spend building walls instead of bridges only pushes you further away from the happiness you deserve.
Close your eyes and see the world for everything it was before they tarnished it. Allow yourself to invite the pieces to fall back together and feel yourself become whole again. Fall in love with every part of your being. Forget them for a while if that helps. Open the windows and let things air out. And let forgiveness become a viable option.
One day you will see yourself as you again. And the mention of their name won’t hurt anymore.
Finding yourself in forgiveness is the road less traveled, but it’s the one that will change you.