As much as you want everyone to treat you fairly, as much as you try to treat others the way you want to be treated, someone is going to do you wrong. Sounds like a country song. When that happens, you are most likely going to be angry, hurt or both. That’s natural and healthy. The big question is, “what then?” Do you spend hours, days, or weeks planning your revenge, or do you take a different tack?

Harriet Nelson of “Ozzie and Harriet” fame suggests this: “Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.” Why, because anger and resentment have no effect on the person you’re angry with, but they do a nasty number on you.

Resentment and a desire for revenge play an important role in the world. Hatred gets passed down from generation to generation and becomes part of the fabric of the culture of a country. The on-going problems in the Middle East reflect an inability to replace anger and hatred with forgiveness.

Marianne Williamson writes, “The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.”

Don Henley captured the toughest part of forgiveness in his song, “Heart of the Matter.” He sang, “I've been tryin' to get down
to the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
and my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about...forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore.”

Even if things don’t go your way, the way to go is forgiveness.