There are so many reasons not to forgive, to hold grudges until we can no longer remember why we were even angry. But here’s one very good reason why you should: for yourself. Forgiveness does not mean you have to be friends with the person who wronged you. Instead, it releases you from holding on to something that may be holding you back.
Holding on to a past betrayal only keeps you living in the past. And living in the past completely prohibits you from moving on to a better, brighter future. If you’re looking to make real progress in your life and grow into a better, happier person, it’s time to let go of the past, learn the lesson, free yourself, and move forward without that heavy burden.
Just as the Buddhist saying goes, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
