I write this in response to the hiveghana weekly prompt 😊
Each time I reflect on the journey of my life, I remember so many lessons I've learned along the way. Some have been easy to grasp, while others have required patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn. But to be very honest, there's one lesson that stands out above the rest, and that's a lesson that has shaped me into the person I am today-- it is "THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS". It's a lesson that has taught me to let go of anger, resentment, and bitterness, and to choose love, compassion, and understanding instead.
I remember the day this lesson hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in my late teens, and I had just experienced a deep betrayal by someone I trusted. I was hurt, angry, and felt like my world had been turned upside down.
For several months, I struggled to come to terms with what had happened. I felt like I was stuck in a cycle of anger and resentment, and I didn't know how to escape. I tried to fill the empty space with distractions, but nothing seemed to work.
It wasn't until I had a conversation with a wise friend of mine that things started to shift. She looked me in the eye and said, "You can't change what happened, but you can change how you respond to it."
that statement changed my life tremendously.
At first, I resisted the idea of forgiveness. I felt like it was a sign of weakness, and that it would mean that what had happened was okay. But as I reflected on my friend's words, I started to see things differently.
I realized that forgiveness wasn't about the other person; it was about me. It was about choosing to let go of the negative emotions that were consuming me, and choosing to fill myself with love, compassion, and understanding instead.
It wasn't really easy, of course. Forgiveness is a process, and it takes time, patience, and practice. But slowly, I started to feel the weight of anger and resentment lifting off my shoulders. I started to feel lighter, more free, and more at peace.
Now, when I reminisce on past events, I can see how the power of forgiveness has shaped me into the person I am today. It has taught me to be more compassionate, more empathetic, and more understanding. It's taught me to see that everyone makes mistakes, and that everyone deserves a second chance.
And it's taught me that forgiveness is not just about others, but it's about ourselves. It's about choosing to let go of the negative emotions that hold us back, and choosing to fill ourselves with love and positivity instead.
To wrap this up, the most important lesson I've learned so far is the power of forgiveness. It's a lesson that has taught me to let go of anger, resentment, and bitterness, and to choose love, compassion, and understanding instead.
I hope that this lesson can inspire everyone on this platform to do the same. I'm sure that we all can learn to see the power of forgiveness in our lives, and that we can choose to let go of the negative emotions that hold us back. Remember, forgiveness is not just about others; it's about ourselves. It's about choosing to live a life of love, light, and positivity, and to fill ourselves with compassion, empathy, and understanding.
written by me:
BERRY EFFIONG
