Deck the Soul with Boughs of Forgiveness by Dr.MaryAnn Diorio (Article) - 12/6/2019 9:36:35 AM
Unlike you, I don't see forgiveness as being something you would, "put on God's hook." That's like not taking responsibility for your own ability to forgive. I am one of those that looks at Christmas as a time of joy and happiness. It is still that way with my family, having no untoward things happening in, I believe, even in my extended family where everyone was always welcome and treated with joy of being there.
I do realize that there are people who have had very bad experiences, especially in childhood, who may need to come to terms psychologically with their problems, but I'm glad I am not one of them. That is not to say that people have not wronged me. But I prefer not to simply "forgive them," but rather to get along and tolerate their behavior. The few times that I have been wronged by people, I always remained civil and even worked with them, regardless of the consequences. Amazingly, several of those people have faced severe consequences, I call it karma, for what they have done. I did not hang around and gloat, but realized that what we do has consequences and whether we are forgiven or not, those consequences will come back to haunt us.
Ron
