“Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.” Joan Lunden
I like this quote a lot. It doesn’t say it ‘all’, as there are times during which allowing oneself to fully feel the anger, resentment, hurt etc., are perfectly valid and sometimes actually entirely necessary.
However, I do believe that it is both common and possible to have something happen to us that feels so dreadful, wrong, bad, life changing or simply hurtful and damaging and yet still to eventually, freely and willingly, let it go and to forgive.
To let go of the aftermath of those things that continue to harm, limit and discolour us or our actions, thoughts and feelings. To forgive those who have truly hurt us, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
I know this to be true as like so many others, I have done so personally.
If I can? You can.