Forgiveness

Forgiveness... we're taught growing up to forgive those who hurt us, and to move on and let it go. We're taught that's the right thing to do, no matter how hard it is. But is that really the right way to treat those that are closest to us, should we just forgive anything, no matter how many times we get hurt? What about when we're hurt over and over again, with the same thing, do we just forgive that? Over and over? How does that help anyone, how does that make people change? Shouldn't we expect more from those around us, especially those closest to us, shouldn't the bar be higher for them?

I think that we get stuck with people that are just part of our world and we forgive their transgressions just because it's easier than stepping back and saying no, that's not okay. Aren't there some things in this world, that just frankly are not ok? And are we not allowed to hold people to that, especially those that should be the best to us that they can if they really love us like they say?

I'm finding more and more that the ones closest to us just expect us to forgive and forget and move on, but what if we're holding ourselves back by doing that, what if I'm holding myself back from being loved how I should, from getting what I need and what I deserve? What if forgiveness is not helping any of us, maybe we shouldn't forgive and forget. Maybe when we get hurt by those that closest in our lives, forgiving is only letting them make the same mistake again.