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The
art of forgiveness begins when you forgive someone.
It is
having a humble spirit and being done with pride and
self-pity. It is taking a step toward the practice of
forgiveness. Hate is death, forgiveness is life.
Forgiveness
works the miracle of change. When Lincoln was asked why he
did not destroy his enemies he replied: "If I make my
enemies my friends, don't I then destroy them?" When
you forgive you change others and you change yourself. You
change discord to harmony.
Forgiveness
should span the years. You should first forgive yourself for
the wrongs you've done to yourself and others, for the mistakes
you've made. Then you should forgive and bless all those who
have wronged you during your lifetime. Thus you release
others and you release yourself. You break the chains of
regret and remorse that bind you. You free your mind from
the burdens of the past so you may walk victoriously into the
future.
Forgiveness
works two ways. You must forgive to be forgiven.
"He who cannot forgive others," wrote Edward Herbert,
"breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass; for every
man has the need to be forgiven."
Forgiveness
should become a habit. When the Master was asked how often
we should forgive, he answered: "Until seventy time
seven." He who forgives to infinity will never hate.
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