A fresh start, an awakening, a blank slate, a second bite at the apple, a redo, or whatever you want to call it; I believe in forgiveness.

I believe in giving someone an opportunity to try again. Sometimes I’m a little too lenient when I give out my second chances, and they are taken.

Some people simply mess up, I mean speaking for myself I am young. I say stupid and hurtful things that I come to regret and I am thankful for the second chance of forgiveness.

I get it from my Father.

Before you decide to exit out or go back a page let me say I am not going to preach to you or shove my faith down your throat. I am going to enlighten you on why I believe in forgiveness. I learned the importance of forgiveness from my faith. Quick lesson for you: Jesus died so that we may all be given a second chance and be forgiven because He knows we are human.

Humans make mistakes. Oh yes, believe it, friend, we are not perfect.

We hurt, we lie, we lead people on, we gossip, and the list goes on...

It sucks, but it’s true. We can’t be perfect all the time because that’s not in our nature. I mean even the most peaceful person has their moments of jealousy or anger. We are emotional beings and sometimes we act on those emotions without thought. Ever wish you could something you said or did back? Instead of dwelling on imperfection we can apologize and forgive others.

A little grace towards one another goes a long way.

While it is for others it is also for ourselves.

Let’s be frank about forgiving, second chances, and moving on because I’m lumping it all together for a moment. Think of something that has made you angry. Has the issue been resolved or do you still harbor bad feelings towards the issue? If you still harbor bad feelings, how often do you find it consuming your thoughts?

My mother always told me forgiveness is as much for ourselves as it is for the other person. Albeit you may not be able to turn around and forgive someone for years of pain, you may have to work through that until you finally feel ready to forgive. Once you can forgive you can move forward.

I forgive but I don’t forget.

I don’t think we forgive and forget. I think forgiving is easier than forgetting. I think forgetting feels like you didn’t experience something because no matter what it was you felt pain and anger. Your life might’ve changed because of it. I will not hold your mistakes against you but I’m not gonna lie and say I won’t proceed with caution if we move forward in a friendship or a relationship because that is me protecting myself.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.