Something to Think About

Forgiveness is one of the most important aspects of life. And it is one of the hardest.

Here are some quotes. Well more like a lot, but I think each one of them has a very important message that we all need to hear.

"When you hold resentment against another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve link and get free."

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness."

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that prisoner was you."

"The weak can never fogive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong."

"Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.”

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.”

"Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don't want the other person to forget that we forgave”

"When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive”

"I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.”

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”

"Forgiveness means letting go of the past.”

"True forgiveness is not an action after the fact, it is an attitude with which you enter each moment.”

"Forgive or relive”

"Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.”

"If you can't forgive and forget, pick one."

"Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself."

"He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass." 

"There's no point in burying a hatchet if you're going to put up a marker on the site."

"What we forgive too freely doesn't stay forgiven."

"Forgiving is love's toughest work, and love's biggest risk.  If you twist it into something it was never meant to be, it can make you a doormat or an insufferable manipulator.  Forgiving seems almost unnatural.  Our sense of fairness tells us people should pay for the wrong they do.  But forgiving is love's power to break nature's rule."

"Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation."