How I did it: For several years, I was angry with my dad. I shut him out of my life.The problem was that I had grown up and discovered some of his mistakes, his imperfections, which conflicted with the ideal I had held as a young girl.We spent the last summer together and for a while, I was still angry.One day, he said something that resonated with  me - that people are not perfect, that life is not perfect, and that expecting them to be only leads to unhappiness.And soon after, after seeing the myriad ways in which she had showed me his love and the innumerable ways in which he had supported me consistently, I forgave him.

Lessons & tips: It cannot be forced. It takes time, but there are a few things that can be learned to help the wounds heal, in time:

1) People are flawed. All of us.
2) Live in the spirit of Gratitude and stop seeing only the things that the person did wrong.
3) Know that forgiveness actually benefits you as well as the person you extend this grace to
4) If your life is better with the relationship, save it
5) Sometimes, spending time together when you don't want to is what is needed.
6) Sometimes, the things that hurt us aren't about us. We need to take a step back from the emotion and see clearly.

Feb 09, 05:57PM PST | 2 comments | 18 cheers