No matter how old or young you are, at some point in your life, chances are you were a bad friend to someone, or you did something inexcusable to a friend. That is a hard thing to accept. Maybe that person forgave you, and your relationship is now stronger than ever, or maybe you lost them over your actions, and you are still hoping and praying that one day they will forgive you so you can finally forgive yourself.

When people hear the word "relationship," they tend to forget that friendships are also a form of relationships, and the friendships that we obtain and hold on to are some of the most important relationships we have. In regards to whoever you may have thought about when reading my first paragraph, I hope everything worked out and that your friendship is stronger now. If you are still waiting on that person to forgive you, whatever the situation may be, you have to forgive yourself. Even if that friend has not forgiven you, it is time for you to be strong enough for the both of you. Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to receive, but also one of the hardest things to give. No one wants to tell the person that hurt them that their actions were "OK," but that is not the point of forgiving someone or forgiving yourself. Forgiveness is one of the strongest examples of showing your love. Forgiveness is about loving yourself and being able to move forward. Forgiveness is about being able to learn from your past so you can better your future. Forgiveness is about putting your pride to the side to keep the people who you care most about in your life. Only the strong can truly forgive someone and themselves for their actions. You have to forgive yourself for every mistake, action, and flaw. I urge you to live by this: forgive and love yourself everyday.

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." - C.S. Lewis