First Tanjain

One of the hardest things anyone must do in life is to forgive others who have wronged or harmed them. Forgiving is one of the initial steps in maintaining a positive mental attitude. Hatred and anger can be defined as two-edged swords that not only hurt the victim, but hurt the perpetrator as well. Sometimes it feels good to nurse our anger and to allow ourselves some righteous indignation. This may feel like a powerful choice in the beginning, but it quickly can spiral down into self-pity. Hatred and anger are enemies to our healing. At times we tell ourselves that our anger is justified and needs to be acted upon in a negative way, i.e., an eye for an eye mentality. Why this may be partially true for initial healing, it is equally true that people who harbor hate and discontent can destroy themselves from the inside out due to their lethal concentration of emotion. Some people are spurred to action because of their anger, and t his can be either good or bad as well. If anger motivates an individual to do something positive, then the outcome can be healing. However, if anger motivates an individual to do something negative, we all know that two wrongs do not make a right. Getting ourselves to decide the best course of action for our positive outcome and then acting on that plan takes courage and self-confidence. It is easier to wallow in self-pity and blame another for the life you are leading, but it proves only one thing – that you choose not to be accountable for the end result. If you give way to hatred and allow it to fester deep within your most intimate self, you will only clog your soul’s arteries that lead to your higher self and ultimately your highest good. Why let someone rob you of your bliss? Take control, take action, and blow the smoke of the past away so that you can clearly see the horizon. Forgive to benefit the most important person in your world – yourself!