Some people may look at these instances and see them as grounds for parting ways, being angry or holding a grudge. I see them as a challenge to do just the opposite by redefining not only myself, but also the link that I have to these people.
To quote Buddha “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” I am quick to give people second (and third) chances. You can’t improve yourself without first making mistakes.
This isn’t something that I learned over night. I spent several years holding a grudge against my father for the way I saw him treat my grandmother. With age came experience and the moments in my life when I realized that there are things of greater consequence.
Most recently, it came in the form of a telephone call where the voice on the other end of the line said that something has happened and that I should come right away. Somehow, amidst all of the chaos, came a moment of clarity in which I was reminded of the things that matter the most.
These moments will be different for everyone, but without a doubt, life will keep throwing them at you as a reminder.
"Save your strength for things that you can change. Forgive the ones you can't. You gotta let 'em go."
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