How many times have you forgotten to study for a test, and wished you could study and then retake it later? Probably more times than you can count you have asked for a second chance. But why do you deserve a second chance? Because you are a good person, maybe because everyone makes a mistake here and there, or maybe just because you want another chance to allow yourself to have a better outcome. If you find yourself deserving second chances why can’t other people earn a second chance?

I understand people suck and trust me I have regretted giving people second chances before, but not all people are the same. Just because you were hurt before doesn't mean you will be hurt again, and if you do get hurt again don’t let that person change your outlook on life.

People mess up all the time; we are human we aren’t perfect, if you want perfection get a dog because I promise you dogs are the only ones who will only make you cry tears of happiness.

It is okay to be hurt, and it is okay to take time if you need it, but if you would be more happy with the person than without them, give them another chance. Do not hurt yourself and put your happiness on the shelf to prove a point to someone about hurting you because then you are guilty of the same charge.

It sucks being in the position of having to chose to let the past go or try to find someone better. This article won’t solve your problem of deciding all I am attempting to do is remind you that there is no weakness in forgiveness, as cliche as that is. It is okay to go back to what hurt you as long as you don’t let it hurt you again. I encourage you to make the choice of what will make you happier. And if you find along the way that you are no longer happy with your choice there is no rule that you can’t change your mind.

The question should not be does this person deserve forgiveness it should be do you want to forgive them. Our past, whether we admit it or not, affects who we are as people. This is both good and bad because as you experience failure you feel devastation before you learn from it, and as you experience happiness you find pieces of yourself, but also learn the contrast between happiness and sadness. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, which is probably the hopeless optimist inside of me trying to convince myself that bad things happen to good people to make them better, but I think second chances are a chance for us to find strength within ourselves to forgive others, and let go of the pain they left us.

As El DeBarge said, “I want the world to know that everybody deserves a second chance.” It is up to you to find the strength to give a second chance; similarly it is up to the recipient of that chance to not need a third.