Forgiveness.

Forgiveness is something that we all need from time to time. We need to be generous with giving our forgiveness away and at some point we will need someone to be generous and forgive us for the things we do. Being a person who gives others grace (not giving someone a bloody nose, even when they deserve one) gives you the freedom:

To move on. We all have those people in our lives still from years ago who have hurt us, whether they knew it or not. Maybe it was someone in elementary school who called you fat and you've felt bad about yourself ever since. Maybe it was a girl in High School who stole your boyfriend. Maybe it's your ex boyfriend who lied to you about cheating. Whoever it is, you may see them even on a daily basis or only once a year. And every time you see them it can be hard to smile and be cordial. But, be honest here and tell me when holding a grudge and burning a bridge has ever helped you out. The only thing that comes from holding on to anger is exhaustion. You become so tired of holding on to the past that it becomes a part of you and it can make your heart hard. Give just one person the grace of forgiveness today, you don't even have to tell them. Forgiveness starts with you. It starts with accepting that everyone makes mistakes and that your value is not in the way that others treat you, but in the way that our heavenly father sees us. These people in your life may not even know what they have done to you, but in your heart you must release it. This way you are free and you are able to move on from their mean words. You are able to create truth inside your mind instead of living on the lies that were told to you. You are not ugly, you are beautiful. You are not fat, you have fat and you can overcome these insecurities. Move on from the stress of holding on to old comments.

To not make the others mistakes. When you are hurt by someone, you feel bad. Obviously, however it's important to learn from their mistake. Tap into the feelings you feel when someone hurts you and figure out what exactly happened to have them say those things to you or to do those things to you. What is the situation and how can you be sure to avoid that situation in the future, and if the situation is unavoidable then how can you react better? The person who lied to you, or hurt you most likely didn't mean to break down their relationship with you and they may wish they could take it back. Learn from their mistakes so that you don't hurt those that you love in the future.

To practice self control. You get into a heated argument. Words are exchanged. Feelings are hurt.
It's almost inevitable. That eventually, at some point in your life, you get into a heated debate with someone you care about. Now is not the time to win or lose. Now is the time to practice self- control. And as hard as it is to hold your tongue and not say the things you most want to say, it can really pay off in the end. Even if the friend you hurt forgives you, it can still damage the long term relationship. Remember in the moment these three simple things.

Everyone has value
Everyone makes mistakes
Words can't be un-said

If you remember that everyone has feelings and value then you have a better chance of watching what you say in the moment.

Everyone makes mistakes and things DO "just happen" sometimes. You never want to deny someone forgiveness for a mistake they made. They could have wronged you unknowingly, or hurt you because they were trying to keep something hurtful from you. The truth is that you may never know the entire truth about a situation and it becomes even more important in those instances to hold your tongue and re assess the situation.

Words can not be un-said. That fact is simple and true. Fill your friends minds with positive thoughts and generous kindness and avoid bringing others down because you are upset. Once mean thoughts have been aired, they can never be un heard.


We all make mistakes. I make them ALL THE TIME. It's just a fact of life. However, because we all make mistakes it becomes unnecessary to make the same mistakes as those around you. So learn from the mistakes of those around you and be more forgiving than you want to be.