I don’t like using other people’s quotes, I prefer to come up with my own rather than regurgitating other people’s thoughts. There are a few quotes though that really do offer food for thought. I’m going to remind you of what I think is my favourite quote of all time. I don’t even know who said it:
“Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free and to realise that the prisoner was you.”
You see if you hold grudges and get angry about the wrongs that have been done to you, the only person that hurts is you. It eats you up and turns you bitter – and achieves absolutely nothing.
I’ve been hurt in my life. Really, really hurt. But I don’t hold that anger inside me. I’ve let it go and moved on. I’ve tried to use the lessons that I’ve learnt for the greater good and made sure that I’ve grown as a result. Bitterness only ever shrivels you.
I hope that when you think of me and what I am like you realise that although I moan about people at times (usually because I feel that they don’t work hard enough on the right things) I never hated anyone. When people have hurt me I have reminded myself that they had a reason for that – it could be that they saw things differently or that they were really, really damaged people. I’ve been able to let go of it.
I’ve always lived my life by that quote and it has served me well. Forgiveness brings you peace and that is a wonderful thing.