Why is it so hard to let go of things hurtful comments or interactions? I think it is more challenging to diregard when it is something said that is a direct blow to your character or said by someone you really respect and love. It is easier to ignore things that simply make you angry or upset. However, it is so much harder to let go when your feelings are hurt or your character is disrespected. What's worse is that the most common reaction is to hold a grudge, which is the easy way out...and a path that is easiest to take.

Over time, it is easy to forget why you were so angry. And over time, it gets so much harder to recover the relationship you once had and respected. But where is the line between protecting yourself and forgiving and overlooking? What I can tell you from my experiences, much like smiling uses less muscles than frowning, is harboring these negative feelings and thoughts is so much more impacting than simply letting go.

Do I regret the grudges I am currently holding? Hell, I don't want to even admit that I have any grudges. And any of you that know me, know that I do not regret anything in life. However, I can say that I wish I were able to alleviate some of the negative feelings and potentially rebuild some of those relationships. Sometimes those relationships are family, sometimes they are close friends, and sometimes they are people that I don't even know that well and don't know me. However, life is definitely too short to hold grudges. I doubt that those relationships will ever be as strong as they were or could have been, however, it is still more appealing to have that relationship at all.