We've all been hurt. This is life. In this life, there would be no beauty without suffering. We learn this the hard way, but the hard way teaches us a lesson. People in our lives will hurt us. It's inevitable. Our instant reaction is quick..."I could never forgive that person." Forgiveness is a decision. Remember, the only harm we think we are doing to someone else - we are only doing to ourselves. When we learn forgiveness, and we hurt someone in our lives, and its OUR turn to be forgiven -- you will understand the significance even more.
If someone cuts you off on a highway - forgive them.
If someone says a bad word about you - forgive them.
If someone does you wrong, in any way - forgive them.
We think that forgiveness is only for the other person, and it's not. Forgiveness is something we need to do to free ourselves from the pain.
I learned this because somebody fought hard for me at a point in my life. That person never gave up. That person made me believe in a second chance, when I could never see it possible. I learned a lesson when I was 19 that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. It restores our faith in one another. It reminds you what is important. It makes us love again.
"There is no love without forgiveness,
and there is no forgiveness with out love."
I was on the Garden State Parkway the other day, and I was approaching my toll (by the way, $1.00...a little insane, isn't it?Imagine how much money the state makes a day! Thats another topic all together, so anyway)...I noticed that the woman in front of me was taking a longer time than usual, so I put my car in park and approached her. I asked her if she needed any change. Our conversation went like this.
Woman: "You're serious?"
Me: "Of course, why not?"
Woman: "I can't believe you're willing to help me, and you're not angry, or beeping your horn..."
Me: "Of course not. I'd love to help. How much change do you need?"
Woman: "Wow, thank you so much. 25 cents."
Me: "Heres 25 cents. Have a great day." I smiled at her.
Woman: "Thank you so much, thank you, thank you." She smiled back.
It is amazing to me how shocked this woman was. She would have never thought that a "stranger" would be willing to help her. And she isn't the only person in the world who feels this way, either. It took 25 cents to restore her faith in humanity.
Lets change this mindset. Lets help eachother. Sometimes, it just takes 25 cents.
