There was once a teacher who told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes for themselves. For every person they'd refuse to forgive in their life, they are told to pick a potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of the clear plastic bag, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.
The students were then told that they're to carry their clear plastic bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work, making it a part of their life.
The hassle of lugging it around with the students made it clear to them what weight they are carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time so that they would not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.
Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated and turned to bear nasty smell and slime. It was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!!!
Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and while it is true, it is clearly also a gift for ourselves!
So the next time you decide that you cant forgive someone, ask yourself, "Isn't MY bag heavy enough?"
Forgiveness may not change the past, but it definitely brightens the future. ;)
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