Here’s a great idea …
In their book, What Happy People Know, Dan Baker and Cameron Stauth say, “Forgiveness doesn’t alter what has happened. The memory remains; the hurt is unchanged. But forgiveness grants us new eyes, through the grace of love, that see the hurt in a different way.” (p. 106)
In other words …
Sometimes when someone has hurt us, we will hang on to the hate and anger. We refuse to forgive because we think that by so doing we are excusing what the person has done. That is a mistake. Forgiveness is less about the other person and more about releasing ourselves from the feelings that hold us hostage. Forgiveness allows us to move on with our lives.
Here’s how you can use this idea to have a better life …
Are there people you need to forgive? Do you have any anger or resentment tucked away? Choose to forgive and set yourself free to live a happier, fuller life.
To find out more …
about personal well-being, check out The Personal Journey or Managing Stress programs at arfamilies.org, follow us at facebook.com/navigatinglife contact your local county Extension agent. You may also enjoy reading What Happy People Know.
Comment
Thank you again! I used to feel like that, but by taking baby steps at a time to forgive, I’ve learned to let go and live a happy and fulfilling life. It is true that the hurt is unchanged and the memory still lingers and sometimes that memory is haunting, but I again take baby steps to be free from it all…hard, but possible.