Worry and (dis)respect
It is said that when you love someone you worry about them. Indeed that’s true, sometimes to the extent that we would rather have something happen to ourselves than our loved one. But there are also times when it could also be a sign of disrespect. They don’t have confidence in your ability to handle yourself.
That’s how I felt as a child. If I would stay out a little late, I would get chewed out to the point of tears about how inconsiderate I was — that the world didn’t revolve around me — that I had to think of other people once in a while. What exactly was my mother worried that would happen to me? That someone would hurt me? That’s exactly what she was doing.
No one ever hurt me outside of my family when I was growing up. Sure, I got into a few fights like any boy and had the usual bumps and bruises, but the only injuries that had any long lasting pain and suffering came from my family. Some have persisted until this day, although I’ve learned to deal with them through insight, understanding, and forgiveness. By forgiveness, I don’t just mean forgiving the people who hurt me. Forgiveness is also forgiving myself for letting it happen and for letting it eat me alive for so many years.
“Forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past.” I’m not sure who exactly originated that saying, but it rings true. We can’t change the past. We have to accept it for what it is and move forward.
Tags: abuse, Life, psychology
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
May 9, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Forgiveness is an obvious life lesson, with anything but an obvious way to be applied by those who need it. Seems like its a matter of taking it a day at a time and getting comfortable with the idea. The hope is more people spend the time to learn how to do it.
http://www.QuestioCunctus.com