To Err Is Human, To Forgive Is Divine.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that prisoner was you." - Lewis B. Smedes

To me... holding grudges is like putting a book on your head. The more books on your head, the more likely they are to fall and the more likely you are to lose balance.

But some people hold onto grudges like it's the last $200 50inch TV on Black Friday.

Why?

What do you gain by hold a grudge, other than the extra baggage that comes with keeping that grudge strong?

Two scenarios...

#1 - Someone does you wrong in some way, you hold a grudge. That person doesn't just die because you don't like them anymore - so you may see them around. How do you feel when you see them? Instant flush of anger or a playback of the event that brought on the grudge. Hello books on your head. It causes you stress and guess what? Now it's effecting your health. What good did the grudge do? More than likely, the person you hold said grudge against doesn't care and is living their life.

#2 -Someone does you wrong in some way. You're upset for a while, but then you get over it. Did it kill you? Nope. You see said person, how do you feel? Fine. You hold no grudge, therefore no baggage and no books on your head. Light and free, you go on with your life.

Quick Example - Certain in-laws say things they shouldn't to their son/daughters spouse. There's a huge blow up and things go sour for a while.

Now it's two years later; should you remember that and let that instant effect choices in your life?

Personal opinion; no. We're all human and say things we don't mean - or things we do mean but shouldn't say. No one is innocent of this, so in the long run no one should be put on trial for this.

I totally get that the initial sting warrants anger, but for how long? How long is it okay to be mad about something? Especially when you have probably been guilty of the same crime at one point or another; and if you haven't, you will.

I don't hold grudges. I get over almost everything with time and because of that I'm a much happier person. But everyone is different, which is what makes this subject so interesting to me.

Sophii.

xoxo.