In this modern world everything seems to be a race, and competition. I literally mean everything is a competition or comparison – who has the latest gadget, has popular friends, has the cool job, has the nice house, visits trendy restaurants. I do not mean to say all people do that for these reasons, but for many people that is the root reason if evaluated deeply. People devalue each other, and hurt others due to this myopic view of life and this world. People seek success in everything, and do not have a second thought to tread on everyone’s head to get there. My first thought is stay away from these people if I can. I do not wish to be a part of every rat race. In cases where I cannot stay away, I have to just accept it. No matter what the reasons, there will be some people’s actions which will hurt us. We can end up holding a grudge, or resentment, or hatred towards someone.
This feeling of hatred that gets kindled in our heart, and remains alive in our heart eats away our peace and compassionate nature. It creeps from our heart into our mind and alters our perspective towards everything. We become grudgy and become bitter in every relationship. We loose the capacity to enjoy the company of other people. We get more and more confined into our own world, and become depressed. We loose interest in life. In the end we ought to remember man is a social animal, and needs friends and needs to be a friend to others too. Grudge causes stress, as you focus more on negativity. Suddenly everything and everyone seems bitter and selfish. You get drowned up in your own bitterness. This stress and fretting affects your mental health and physical health too.
The only way to get out of this is to forgive. We need to recognize the value of forgiveness. By forgiving, we are freeing ourselves from the control that the situation or other person has over us. In between the hater and the hated, it is always the hater who is hurt more. Through forgiveness, we free ourselves of the role of the hater. The definition of your life is not based on your hatred towards someone anymore. It brings back peace in your heart and life. You will be more compassionate and life will suddenly seem to be more interesting and exciting. You will enjoy the company of other people, and you will look forward to each day, and to meeting new people. It will lower your stress level. It will open your heart to new things and new experiences. To forgive is to let go of the resentment, and to change. It can be tough to take the first step to change, to forgive. But if you not only understand, but realise the value of forgiveness then it might be easier to take the first step to change yourself to forgive someone.
nice post!