We're all human, and it's a known fact that it's inevitable that we'll be making mistakes all throughout our lives.

I used to think that everyone deserved a second chance. I am a firm believer that all people are good at heart, or if you are the worst person to walk the planet, there lies at least a sliver of good deep down inside. It's just a matter of finding that person's soft spot.

All along, I was unmindful to the fact that I was naïve. Rarely do people admit to their faults, and in most cases, people are beyond stubborn. They'll find any loophole or a way to twist your words in order for them to still be proven innocent.

Another myth I can immediately debunk is that "people change." From my experience, people never seem to want to change, as if their personality is permanent. They say it'll "never happen again" and pretend it's all fine until it happens again. My point being, the likeliness of the person never learning from their mistakes is high! What makes you think if they took advantage of you once, that they won't do it again? It's all a matter of perception.

Sure, if you forgive the person, it might make you feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. It may feel as if you let all the negative energy that entered your body go. However, way down the line, you may find yourself regretting it.

The best advice that I could give to someone if second guessing their decision to give a person a second chance is don't. It's all about self-respect and saving all the emotional energy you have. By refusing to let the person back into your life, you are gaining strength and the power to not let people walk all over you.

If you can't resist, just give the person one more chance. Not three or four, just one. If you keep giving people more chances, they'll continue to manipulate you and you'll just become one of their marionette puppets. You don't want to become a victim without even being aware.

Therefore, the best you can do is show some respect towards yourself! Do not let people get under your skin. Some food for thought:

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

Don't be the person that gets fooled twice! Be the person who will understand the mistakes being made, and let people treat you the way you'd like to be treated.