Do we as individuals forgive those who have at some time or another caused us pain and misery? This morning I overheard two women in a shop queue very vocally disagreeing about whether or not to buy a Christmas present for a 3rd party. I don’t like to eavesdrop but as I said, they were rather vocal. It did however get me thinking……

Where do we as individuals, draw the line in forgiveness? Will she not feel bad if they make up just after Christmas? What if the 3rd party brought her a present which is obviously not going to be reciprocated? This is the point where you may say “Amo, get a life and next time join a different queue!” I hope they work it out.

We’ve all fallen out with someone at some time or another and in the heat of the moment said things which we may have regretted later. The world is a small place. No matter how much we try to avoid people, we will bump into them again. For our own sanity and peace of mind it is better to clear the air sooner rather than later. Arguing about something that happened in a different time period and in a different circumstance may just seem so petty years later when both parties have matured. Importantly, I once read in one of the Hindu holy scriptures – The Bhagwad Geeta a verse where the almighty said to one of two warring parties “Go and stand in your enemy’s shoes and note what he sees when he looks towards you”. This is a very powerful piece of advice. Too often we are so inflamed by hurt and anger that we can’t see where we were at fault. Remember the adage – It takes two to tango?

There are times when to close a particular chapter in life, one has to forgive and move on and more importantly to not look back. Our ability to control our self-respect, ego and pride are key to ‘moving on’. They say that ‘time is a great healer’ and I must agree. To forgive makes a person emotionally stronger and ensures they do not wander into a similar situation again…or at least without the benefit of experience. A quick personal story – I recall being the only one in the room who witnessed my grandfather shake hands with his elder brother (in his 90’s) after falling out 25 years earlier. Both chatted as if there had been no prior disagreement at all. I learnt so much in those few minutes by simply observing the art of mature conversation.

All, or maybe some of the above will resonate with you in one way or another. This time of year is supposed to bring friends, neighbours and families closer together. Life’s too short. Pick up the phone, say hello….the rest may be easier than you thought!

“If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future” – Sir Winston Churchill