I always used to tell myself that I would never give out second chances. If someone messed up, they wouldn’t deserve a chance to make amends. As I’ve gotten older, this cynical mindset has changed vastly.
People deserve second chances.
Whether it’s an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, a friend you’re fighting with, a professor that offends you or anyone in between, they are worth the second chance. They deserve to make amends with you. By denying people their second chance, you’re creating very high-stakes relationship parameters. You’re expecting everything to always go perfectly and that whoever you’re interacting with will never mess up. Humans are probably some of the least perfect beings around. We all mess up and we do it often. It’s so unrealistic to expect perfection out of everyone and every situation. Second chances are practically a necessity.
By giving out chances to people that have done you wrong, you’re welcoming so many possibilities into your life. I would never trade the memories I’ve made with the people I’ve given second chances to even if those people are no longer in my life. I may not keep every relationship that I restart or attempt again, but they still all have worth to me. If I didn’t give that guy a second chance, would my summer have been half as fun as it was? If my friend didn’t forgive me for that time I made her upset, would my sophomore year have been as enjoyable without her? Sure, I may not hang out with him anymore or I may not see her as much as I used to, but the memories with them are still so close to me. I have love for the times spent with people who I’ve started over with.
It’s simply good practice to give second chances. Your kind choice to restart with someone shows your depth as a person. You prove that you can forgive —
a difficult task in itself. You can put negative thoughts out of your mind and see the best in people. It’s definitely challenging to do, especially if someone has hurt you, but it’s also so worth it. Allowing people a second chance is the opportunity to show your true character in a trying situation.People deserve second chances. Putting negative thoughts past you to create new memories and bonds is hard. You may struggle to forgive the person with which you want to reconcile. However, being an accepting human is such a positive personality trait that others will admire. Don’t be cynical. Don’t hold grudges and burn bridges. Believe in the people in your life and allow people to show you a better side of themselves.
