Hey Adriene

LET GO IF ONLY FOR YOUR OWN SAKE

There's a saying, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. And yet, every day, much of the world persists in retaliating to each other's past tresspasses, perceived or otherwise. People think that justice will be served when the enemy is made to suffer as they did. Or that when the enemy is made to suffer, only then will they feel better for it.

In doing so, they unwittingly create a vicious cycle of hate, anger and venom. Sometimes, the conflict lasts for generations. The Israel - Palestinian conflict is a classic example of this situation. I feel sad for them, but after so many years of conflict, I am beginning to grow immune to the reports of fighting and deaths, regardless of how complex the issue is. I've begun to wonder whether the people there even know what they are fighting for after so many years. Is it really worth it?

Personally, I firmly believe in the concept of forgiveness. The idea of accepting the pain and letting go of it unreservedly. I believe it's only when we embrace the pain, acknowledge that it exists that we are able to work with it and move through it.

There's no use in holding on to unforgiveness because it only prolongs the pain. That especially includes forgiving myself, and not beating myself up over things I cannot change. That's a tough lesson that has taken me years to learn, but it's a valuable one because it's helped me heal, get over many tough spots quickly, even surprisingly quickly at times, and freed me to move on to new, better things. And there's always new, better things to come.

If that's not good enough a reason to forgive, here's another one that's more selfish. Unforgiveness is a voracious energy-sucker. While you're working yourself up with anger and vile thoughts, whoever it is you're hating could very well be living happily, and couldn't care less about how you're tormenting yourself. Is it really worth it then? So let go already!