The "The Power Of Forgiveness" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about how hard it is to forgive someone.  Not just strangers whom may have done something wrong to you, but to friends and family that have caused pain and suffering due to actions or words they may have spread which caused you pain and suffering; both physically and mentally.  From the time I was a young boy I was taught to say "please", "thank you", and "sorry", but I really don't remember being taught to say "I forgive you."  Forgiveness requires more than just saying words out loud.  It requires us to make a conscious decision to choose to move on, to embrace the possibilities of the future rather than focus on the negativity of the present.  Practicing forgiveness can help develop empathy and compassion toward others, and ultimately strengthen relationships you may have or might like to have with others.  Tough sometimes to understand a friend or relative as a human being.  But, to understand someone else as a human being is about as close to real forgiveness as one can get.  I recently found a few quotes from some of history's greatest thinkers whom have cited forgiveness as a key component to reaching your full potential in life.  See what you think and see if you too might practice some of what you are about to read.  I know I plan to use the quotes to help me be a better person and forgive others as I would want them to forgive me.  

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
― Martin Luther King Jr.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
― Mahatma Gandhi

Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.
― Desmond Tutu

To err is human; to forgive, divine.
― Alexander Pope

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.
― Abraham Lincoln

It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.
― Maya Angelou

Take forgiveness slowly. Don’t blame yourself for being slow. Peace will come.
― Yoko Ono

Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love.
― Fred Rogers

See if you can learn from reading the previous quotes and than practice them in your daily life.  May be hard to do, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy.  And then...remember...practice what you preach!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.