Forgiving Others

My Bishop sometimes sends me quotes when he gets impressions that I need to hear a particular phrase. I received the following quote from him today:

"Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself." - Harriet Nelson

This statement really struck me because it is so true. Just think about it: the grudges we hold only affect our own person (as long as they are not acted upon in the form of passive aggressiveness or some other form of retaliation). These angry, bitter feelings fester inside until they reach the boiling point and spill over. They literally poison our hearts. Do you really want to do that to your own heart?

Sometimes I catch myself holding grudges - which I know I should not, and cannot afford, to do. Remember, you cannot even begin to forgive yourself until you have completely forgiven others. So why hold back? Doing so only hurts yourself, and that action (in any form) hinders your potential progress as a Child of God. Share the love, forgive, and most important of all: forget.