Until we have seen someone’s darkness, we don’t really know who they are.
Until we have forgiven someone’s darkness, we don’t really know what love is.
-Marianne Williamson
There is an extreme concept that I enjoy considering and attempting to practice – radical forgiveness. It confirms my thought from earlier this cycle about whether we should work on forgiving anyone and everyone. Yes, we should. It is not easy, but it is worth it. :) <3 Radical forgiveness can pave the way to ruthless self-love. We can be courageous in our own actions and beliefs as we build a better bridge in our lane, higher than ever before.
Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy, not to hold the offense up against the offender.
Forgiveness is an expression of love.
-Gary Chapman
An interesting concept of forgiveness is how much more easily we can forgive enemies in comparison to friends. Then, loved ones can be the most difficult folks for us to forgive, even radically. It has to do with the levels of expectations that are involved. We expect enemies to betray us and need forgiveness, but we do not expect such behavior from friends or loved ones. The bite of those betrayals stings harder; it lasts longer. Do we want the boomerang to keep hitting us in the head harder and longer, though? I know that I do not want that repetitive pain, so I am working on radical forgiveness for all.
Forgiveness is a strange thing.
It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends.
It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love.
-Fred Rogers
At the end of the day, if we reflect truly, then we know how much forgiveness has been important for each of us at points in our lives. None of us are perfect, so we have relied upon others forgiving us for mishaps at some point. The same should be true for others, too, then, right? Right. We can forgive; we can try again. We can love; we can be loved.
Sometimes things make more sense the second time around. People change, you change, and the universe changes. If we keep ourselves confined to first chances only, we will truly miss out on some of the most beautiful things in life.
-Rania Naim
I do not want to miss out on beautiful things in life.
Forgiveness can help us move on from strife.
Is it wise? Is it dumb? Time will tell.