> Practical Family Living

Forgiveness is a choice. Forgiveness does not mean we forget the experience or the wrong that was done. Forgiveness does not mean that we must trust that person to do the right thing in the future. It does mean that we have processed the alternatives of being angry and holding grudges, and decide to let go of the anger, which in turn limits the expended energy we waste on the topic of the wrongdoing. When you are holding a grudge against a loved one, a close friend, a relative, etc., try to process why it is important for you to hold on to your anger and unforgiveness, and figure out how to forgive. Life is short and we do not know when that person we are angry at may die, or when we will take our last breath, then it is too late, leaving the survivors to think about how they should have worked through the issue with the deceased. Figure out how to let go of your anger. Learn how to forgive. You might find your shoulders aren’t so tense, your thoughts are not constantly spinning around about the wrongdoing, and you are not triggered so easily toward anger.

Forgiving is your choice.