Forgiveness is a topic that is hard to speak about. It is even harder to demonstrate. When someone betrays us or treats us less than we deserve, our initial reaction is typically anger. We want to know the reason behind someone’s actions. We want to know why they behaved the way they did, and more often than not, we take it personally. Taking the actions of another personally will inevitably lead to our downfall. That is a mistake that people make almost every day. It is human nature. We often make the mistake of blaming ourselves for the actions of others. In reality, the way that people treat us is a reflection of how they feel about themselves. You may have heard that before, but it cannot be stressed enough. We are human. We project our emotions. It is a terrible habit, but it happens. If we are feeling stressed out or frustrated, we often lash out on the people closest to us.
This occurs at a much deeper level as well. Someone who does not have complete and utter love for themselves cannot possibly love another with their entire being. As much as we do not want to hear this, loving yourself is the only answer, and that begins with forgiveness. Forgiving others and forgiving yourself helps with this self-love journey. If you hold any hatred or animosity in your heart, how will you have room for love? Forgiving others allows you to release that negative energy from your heart. Do not get me wrong, this is easier said than done. However, we must remember not to take anything personally. We must forgive others and be strong enough to not allow that treatment or behavior to continue. Be resilient and put your foot down.
