When a person refuses to forgive, he is locking doors that
some day he might need to open. When we hold grudges and harbor resentment, who
are we hurting the most? Ourselves.
Jim and Jerry were childhood friends but for whatever
reasons, the relationship fell apart and they hadn't spoken for 25 years. Jerry
was on his deathbed and didn't want to enter eternity with a heavy heart. So he
called Jim, apologized and said, "Let's forgive each other and be done for
the past." Jim thought it was a good idea and decided to visit Jerry at
the hospital. They caught up on 25 years, patched up their differences and
spent a couple of hours together. As Jim was leaving, Jerry shouted from
behind, "Jim, just in case I don't die; remember, this forgiveness doesn't
count." Life is too short to hold grudges. It is not worth it.
While it is not worth holding grudges, it doesn't make sense
to be bitten time and again. It is well said, "You cheat me once, shame on
you; you cheat me twice, shame on me."
John Kennedy once said, "Forgive the other person but
don't forget their name." I am sure that his message was that one should
not get cheated twice.
