A man who studieth revenge

Where do we direct our energy? Are we spending time and thought on how we have been wronged? On the unfairness of life?

Those who consume their resources in this way have few left for growth and development. 

Their wounds stay open for years, and they block the healing. 

What will we need to set aside our resentments and hateful attitudes?

Perhaps we have been passively waiting for the other guy to make amends.

 That only puts our enemies in charge of us.

It would be better if we could say, "I am going to move on.

The change that is needed for me to heal will come from within me.

 I will not put my happiness in another's hands."

More than revenge, we want a life worth living -- for ourselves and the ones we love.

We can give our energies to that.

As they fall to whatever lies below, they are perhaps able to climb to one side or the other.

But for the time being, their ability to cross between the two sides is gone. 

When we have been hurt by people in our lives, or when we have hurt others, mutual forgiveness is needed in order to rebuild the trust between us.

It is very much like rebuilding a bridge -- one piece at a time.

We take cautious steps at first -- testing the safety and strength of our bridge. 

When two people have become separated by loss or anger, it is forgiveness that can rebuild the bridge between them.

Forgiveness needs time and so does the rebuilding of trust.