Not a whole lot of thinking has gone into this article. In a way, that's best, because, I would never write it if I had a chance to actually think.

How many times have we heard the old saying "Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me"? I wish I could put a number on it, so let's just say, I've heard it a gazillion times. But the thing is, those words, once said, can't be taken back. It doesn't matter how many times the words "I'm sorry" are said- even a gazillion. Words hurt. They can cut like a knife and leave a wound that will never heal. I know because my band-aids wear off from time to time. Until I got tired and decided to rip them off.

"You're worthless, get out of my face, you're such a bleep, get the bleep out." Yeah, you bet those words hurt. But, somehow through the tears, anger, and hurt, I would smile and I would end up saying I'm sorry. I usually wouldn't even know what I was sorry for. Maybe I spoke my mind inappropriately, maybe I gave a look I didn't realize was wrong. One thing I do know is that putting up with a lot made me seem like I should be strong. But, I felt so weak. How could I let it happen over and over? Was I stupid? No.

I've always been opinionated. It's one of my quirks. You either love me or hate me. I have no filter. If I think it, I usually say it. But, when it came to relationships, I felt like I had no voice. Or, for once, I was silenced. And as I'm typing this now, it seems scary. But, sometimes it doesn't take forgiving the person that hurt you to be ok with who you are. There are times I look back and I now understand why I'm such a handful. I know now why I care so deeply, even at the risk of getting hurt. It's because no matter how poorly I was treated, I always thought it would get better. I have always thought people deserve second chances, or four. I never wanted to believe the bad in people. We are put in someone's life for a reason.

I don't need to forgive anyone else for the hell I may have gone through to be who I am today. I love myself. I'm happy knowing that through the demanded silence, I found my voice. I can be strong-willed, strong-minded and still be accepting of others and all of their flaws. I know I'm a strong person because I once felt weak. I say I don't have to forgive the person that hurt me because the forgiving began with myself.

I hear and see so many teens say hurtful things like it just spills from their mouth with such ease. Girls are called fat, ugly, whore, nerd, too skinny, lanky, idiot, disgraceful, they'll never amount to anything, all of these things are said as if it were no big deal. But remember, a band-aid only works for so long.

Decide to be better. Be stronger. Be supportive. Listen when you find out your words hurt. They can come from your closest of friends, your relationship or even family. Just because they're the closest to you and the seem to know you well, does not make it better. In fact, it gets even harder. Forgiving those closest to you is like ripping the band-aid off and hoping it heals. Always strive to be a better version of you. You don't have to forgive those that hurt you, forgive yourself first.

So, think about it, or even do it. Call someone stupid. Tell them they're worthless. Make them feel less than the dirt under your feet. But, don't be surprised when they no longer choose to look wounded, rip the band-aids off and move on. Because after all, that's life. It goes on with or without your approval.

Try and visualize this. Stand at a wooden fence with a pocket full of nails and a hammer. Drive each nail into the wood with the hammer. Do this over and over and over. Look back at all the nails and imagine those are your hurtful words. Now, imagine turning the hammer to the claw end and remove each and every nail. Think as you remove the nails, that's you trying to take your words back. Step a few feet away from the fence and look. Are the holes still there? Also, there are the feelings your words left behind.