When I was a lot younger, I used to have this idea in my head that I need to take revenge on certain things.  That when people do something to me, I need to retaliate.  I was following the saying, if they hit you, you hit back.  I couldn't for the life of me (at that time) understand the Bible phrase to 'give your other cheek'  I swear, I thought it was so very wrong.

Then I experienced heartache.  I was feeling my lowest (I think) and then one day, I realized - that I needed to forgive that person and I needed to forgive myself.  It took a while, but then when I wished that person well and after that, everything was alright again.  The pain was minimal, I think I grew so much from that experience.  The lesson I learned then was to not think negatively of others, and instead wish them the best.

Let's not think ill of others, instead wish them well.  That's what I do now.  Whenever I'm irritared or angered by circumstances, I take a breath - say this in my head 'Lord, please take care of this' and after a while, I'll be calmer.

I wish I can instill in my children the act of forgiving and to accept apologies, no matter how early or how late.