2011 Thanksgiving Day 2 : Forgiveness

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Though I have been so blessed this year, it has been a tough year for me. Amidst all great opportunities flowing in, I have experienced heartaches from a few so-called friends who I thought all along were true to me. As much as some of you may say that I’m too shallow ending my friendships with those who have dealt me pain, I had to say goodbye because, though I make friends quite easily, I also get hurt deeply that I can never trust you again.

Image credit: Forgiveness

This year, though, I have learned to be more forgiving. I have learned to let things pass and forgive people who have hurt me. I realized it eased the heavy burden on my shoulders. It made my heart breathe well. My days are less stressful.

It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.

- William Blake

Forgetting the pain or what someone did to hurt you is a completely different story. As I said earlier, it’s hard to trust again, especially when you know the person who you thought got your back since the beginning was actually lying to you. I can never accept that from a “friend”. True friends will NEVER do that. So, as much as I miss them, I know we’re better off as acquaintances. But, please know that I have forgiven you.

(If you think this post is for you, it probably is. And I don’t need a response nor an explanation. I am in a happier place, and I know you are too. I do cherish those conversations we had. All the crazy things we talk about. I have forgiven you. And I hope you have forgiven me too.)

I have also forgiven my father for everything he has said or done. And I believe he lives his life happier now knowing I’ll be by his side no matter what happened in the past. Though I’m not expecting anything extremely great to be a result of the past few weeks, I know I feel much lighter knowing that I have forgiven him… completely this time. No more resentment. And I hope someone else in our family will start forgiving him too.

Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me.

If you knew me, saying “sorry” is one of the hardest things I can ever do. I tend to analyze things first, set aside my ego and pride, and really think things through before I apologize for something I’ve done. But, I learned through time and in my past relationships that most of the time it doesn’t matter who hurt whom, who did what, who said or did something wrong first. It just feels better when you stop letting your pride control you and forgive someone. In the end, they will also realize their mistakes and the whole peace-and-make-up phase will begin. Being the first one to say “sorry” doesn’t mean you lose. If that’s still how you look at things, you’ve got some growing up to do.

So, yes, I thank God for making me realize my world will be a better place if I learned the true meaning of forgiveness. And I hope you can learn that too.