One of the most difficult words in the English language: forgiveness. The fact is, it's hard. Forgiving someone who has wronged you is hard. It hurts. It's messy. It's all of these things and then some. Despite all of this, forgiveness is always better than holding onto hate. One of the hardest things in life you'll learn is that sometimes, most times, you have to learn to accept an apology you never got. Sadly, betrayal never comes from our enemies. The ones that hurt us most are always the ones that we love most, and that's just how it is.

So, why forgive? What does forgiveness really mean? Forgiveness means wishing the best for someone that did not wish the best for you. Forgiveness means freeing yourself from a burden and a grudge, from the hateful thoughts in your mind and the shattered feelings in your heart. Forgiveness means deciding that the mistakes and demons of someone else are not worth your well being. Forgiveness means choosing to see that not everyone has the same heart as you. Forgiveness means knowing that a person who does not see an issue with their actions will never change.

When you forgive, you decide that you will no longer hold onto a hateful spirit. Believe me, I know better than anyone that not everyone deserves forgiveness. I know there are unspeakable, unimaginable things that happen. I know there are people who continually bring pain and sorrow into your life. I know all of these things, but once you decide to forgive, you decide to live.

Hate and love cannot exist in your heart at the same time. You cannot live the life that was meant for you when you focus all of your energy on people that don't deserve it. Relationships can be mended, but sometimes they aren't meant to be. You have to accept that many people that enter your life are meant to be a lesson. They are not permanent, they are a heartbreak today and a breakthrough tomorrow. They are meant to teach you things about yourself that you could not learn on your own.

It hurts to lose people, it hurts to hurt, but just know that you don’t have to. Forgiveness means moving on from the things and the people that tear you down. It means deciding to learn from it, move on from it and grow from it; but most importantly to never dwell in it. It’s important to forgive so you can be the joy and the light you were meant to be. I will say it again; you cannot love at your fullest with hate in your heart.

People will always disappoint you, and no one on this Earth is perfect. He forgives all things, so forgive as He does. Life is short and things happen. People leave and people stay and people hurt people every single day. Forgive. Choose freedom, because that’s what forgiveness means.