"Dont wait to forgive until you feel like it; you will never get there. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made".

This is like my premise that our beliefs are what emotions come from...results, not something to determine our lives by.

I see the choice to resent is the same as the choice to forgive. They are always our own, not dependent on others.

Yes. And they both have a huge impact on our lives, perspectives and actions, don't you think?

When we choose to let go resentments, we are not saying that what occurred wasn't important, impactful and real...we are saying that what we did or did not do at the time mattered as much as what the other person did or did not do...and our choice to resent, like you said, only hurts us...

So we are choosing to punish ourselves instead of understand ourselves.

Could forgiveness fall into this situation as well? Are we not withholding self-forgiveness by not choosing to forgive others? As if it will keep us protected, taught a lesson, like we do with resentment? Which by holding on to, we punish ourselves?

Would not forgiving ourselves for our half, our part...to not acknowledge it is like erasing ourselves...be like punishment, when we are truly longing to understand our parts, our power, ourselves...and others?

Now...what do YOU think?

(having a blast with you...thank you for the thread)

LA