Here’s a really wise and simple quote from Byron Katie. While resentment is like drinking your own poison, Byron says:
Forgiveness is just another name for freedom.
Let go of any negative emotions you feel from being hurt, and free yourself from that negativity. The Daily Inspiration adds:
Forgiveness actually becomes a form of self-care, allowing us to move forward unencumbered, to enjoy the freedom and lightness that comes from letting go.
So forgive, move on, and enjoy your life. 🙏
One of my favorite books, I Suck at Girls, written by the Sh*t My Dad Says guy, is full of said dad’s advice, which happens to be both obscenity-laced and wise.
In this snippet, the son is deciding how to respond to his ex’s invitation to lunch while still hurting from a breakup. So he asks his dad’s opinion.
“You’re not fucking perfect,” says the dad.
The son is confused by this response and asks for some clarification.
Noting that “You do dumb shit. She does dumb shit. Everyone does dumb shit,” 😆 the dad gives some great advice.
Don’t do something, or not do something, to punish someone because you think they did something dumb. Do what you want to do, because it’s what you want to do.
The son follows the advice, which is brilliantly both forgiving and self-empowering, and goes for lunch.
Spoiler: he does not regret it.
Note: “what you want to do” should still fit in with ethical norms, legal constraints, and personal values. 🤷🏻♂️😆 Don’t do your own dumb shit.
To me, Aristotle always seemed like just another stuffy ancient Greek dude in a robe. I always confused him with Socrates. I related to Bill & Ted when they met Socrates, swapping generic, abstract ideas with classic rock lyrics. 😆
But Aristotle was not lost in the abstract. Like other ancient philosophers, he had some cool things to say about being a good person, For example, he espoused being forgiving, consciously “overlooking” the past to avoid the self-imposed ill of resentment.
It is proper to a magnanimous person not to nurse memories, especially not of evils, but to overlook them.
Aristotle
👉 You’ve got to love the word “magnanimous” – it’s a new favorite word of mine.
Dude was also into being helpful and generous…
Of all those who are called virtuous the liberal are probably the best liked, because they are helpful; and their help consists in giving.
So “The Philosopher” was just saying be kind, generous, and forgiving. 🤷🏻♂️
Mental Break Town 