Mention skills and we usually think of things like playing a musical
instrument, dancing, or cooking. We seldom think of things like
ATTITUDES that, in sum, equal self-esteem. But attitudes are skills.
Perhaps one of the least mentioned is the skill of forgiveness.
There are many unfairnesses to forgive in this unfair world. Life often
is frustrating and full of disappointments. At times there are genuine
insults and traumatic absurdities that befall us. All are capable of
destroying our self-esteem if we don’t learn to become peacemakers
rather than grudge-holders.
The skill of forgiveness, like any skill, must be practised daily. An
attitude of acceptance, sailing along on the greased rails of habit,
enables us to forgive life for not being what we wanted it to be. We
spare ourselves much regret when we come to peaceful terms with our own
personal histories. If we didn’t live up to our fondest expectations,
that isn’t so bad. Even those who have done us legitimate harm can be
forgiven once we realize that NOT forgiving only prolongs the injury.
Taken from the book: Believing in Myself by: Earnie Larsen and Carol Hegarty
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