This is an opinion column that I came across from the Grrrr section at foxnews.com:
Link for full story is below, but you may appreciate this.
This Grrr! Column Is About Forgiveness
I know it's easier to say than to do, but as terrorists are busy blowing up innocent civilians who pay their taxes, work hard to provide for their families, thrive on freedom and love their fellow men, it's time to look at the person who has hurt you the most in your life — and forgive them their trespass against you.
I'm not talking about the lower-than-life terrorists here. They can burn in hell for all I care. And I'm not talking about the Oblivions who are the source of daily Grrrs — they'll never go away.
I'm talking about the husband or wife whose eye wandered too far one night. I'm talking about the father or mother who disowned their child because they married the "wrong" person or have the "wrong" political or religious beliefs. I'm talking about sisters and brothers and the college roommates who haven't spoken to each other for years and can't even remember why.
It's high time we remember where we came from and who helped us get from there to here.
Each and every one of us in America is lucky to be in a country where freedom is a given.
Sure, things aren't always grand. We question our leadership at times. We question our lives' paths at times. But at least we have the freedom to choose those paths.
And right now, the path to healing whatever ails you is to forgive, and to love your family, your closest friends, your co-workers and your neighbors.
With that choice you will find peace within. It's really that simple.
You can even start this process by focusing on the thing that worries you the most.
Is it credit card debt that keeps you up at night? Believe it or not, financial freedom will do wonders for your health.
Is it the bottle of wine that you can't seem to avoid? Cutting down on alcohol, and on eating for the sake of eating, will not only help you feel better physically, it will also help you feel better about yourself.
I don't mean to sound preachy, but I noticed recently that most of the problems I have with my life have to do with me, and only me. I can choose to love unconditionally, or I can choose to nitpick all the way to my grave.
I choose the former from now on.
But that doesn't mean I'll stop Grrring the little things that drive us nuts day in and day out. The little things are fun.
It's the big things that are hard to deal with, and that need the most attention.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162181,00.html
I just thought it had some really good points, some things that the lack of real love by forcing family members to choose between being stuck somewhere they don't wish to be or having a relationship with family.
And especially for those of us who were raised as witnesses, but who had parents who became them by choice, they got the opportunity to choose, why should we be penalized for wanting the same?