We've all been hurt before. Whether it's by people we love, people we don't even know, or by people we didn't think were capable of hurting us, we've all been there.

Sometimes the pain is short-lived. Our feelings are hurt for a brief moment, but we learn to get over it and carry on with our daily lives. Sometimes the pain cuts a little deeper. We just can't seem to get rid of this feeling in our gut, and it's clear that the relationship with a certain person is over. Usually, it takes time to come to terms with and it definitely takes time to get used to, but you know it needs to be done.

But sometimes, when your feelings are compromised by someone you love and couldn't imagine your life without, it's hard to leave them behind. It's hard to picture your life without that someone. They're the ones you tell all your good news or crazy stories to. They're the person who holds you when you cry, and the one who runs with you when you're mad. But... Right now, they're also the one who hurt you. They took your feelings into account, or maybe they didn't, and they decided to hurt you. A lot of the times, these people don't realize just how much they've hurt us. They don't realize that we've cried ourselves to sleep because of them. They don't realize that we've questioned our entire relationship with them, and with ourselves, because of this. They don't realize that "sorry" just isn't enough. No matter what is said or what is done, they can't take back the way they made you feel.

But in my 20 years of time on this Earth, I've learned an important lesson: forgiveness is key. No matter the issue at hand, it is always better to forgive someone rather than hold onto those ill feelings.

Forgiving does not mean forgetting, though. You will still remember the way they hurt you, and how it made you feel. You will still remember how close to an end your friendship or relationship came. But once you have found the light in you to forgive that person, you will remember how much stronger you have become. You will remember how easy it is for someone to hurt you, and how tough you are to not let it happen again. Especially by the same person.

When you find yourself mature enough to forgive someone for their wrong doings, you are actually doing yourself a favor. You will have let go of that negative feeling and all of the bad energy that once filled you. You now have more room for love and growth.

You have the power to rid yourself from a situation and all of the feelings that come along with it. Forgive those who've wronged you, for they weren't aware of the consequences their actions would have. Forgive them for hurting you, forgive yourself for feeling the pain that you have felt, and move on gracefully from a situation.

After all, I'd rather be drinking a mimosa at Brunch with my friends in 20 years laughing about something that happened between us years ago, than still hold ill feelings toward them.