Happy People Forgive … But They Don't Forget

Everybody makes mistakes. You can expect the people in your life to let you down occasionally, even if they don't mean to. You've probably said or done things that created a negative experience for people you care about. These things happen. Nobody is perfect.

It's one of the reasons you should learn to forgive others when they cause you harm. They are imperfect, just like you. Even if they went out of their way to cause you misery, forgiveness makes you feel better than holding a grudge.

This is what notoriously happy people do. They understand that harboring negative feelings is like renting out space in your brain to unhappiness.

It doesn't make any sense.

If something bad happens in your life, let it go. Forgive whoever you need to forgive. Any time spent harboring negative emotions is an unnecessary waste of time you could've devoted to feeling happy. If you do that, you consciously allow stress into your life, which can lead to severe physical and mental health problems.

Forgiveness Leads to Happiness, As Long You Don't Embrace Forgetfulness

Imagine that a very dear friend says something that hurts you deeply. You can't believe what you heard. You ask him what he said, and he repeats it clearly, word for word, to make sure you understand him. You know that he knows that such a statement would hurt your feelings, and you have difficulty processing this blatant disregard for your emotions.

As soon as the moment is over, you leave the environment. You're going to be the bigger person and not respond negatively in some way. A day later, you call your friend after you've calmed down. You tell him that your relationship is important to you. You forgive him, and he says he won't let it happen again, apologizing profusely.

You feel great about what you did. You've traded in negative feelings for positive emotions. It's at this point where you need to do something very important. Relive the moment that made you angry. It hurt you emotionally. Think about it. Visualize it happening again in your mind's eye. You're not doing this to bring it up later, but so you won't forget.

Happy people forgive easily. They additionally have great memories. If someone hurts you somehow and you forgive them, what's to say it won't happen again? If the offender harms you again in the future, then that's one time too many. Divorce yourself from that relationship.

You owe yourself the best possible life. That means not allowing people to see you as an emotional doormat. Be strong. Stick up for yourself. Forgive easily but don't ever forget. This will lead to more happiness in your life and more positive people in it.