There is still another side to forgiveness and that is self-forgiveness. It's difficult to find the courage to forgive others and events, if we have not yet been able to forgive ourselves. In a way, self -forgiveness is our acknowledgement that we are part of humanity. We, like others make mistakes. We like others sometimes nurture parts of ourselves that are not in our own best interest, nor in the best interest of those whom we love or humanity as a whole. Those who sincerely try to live from the highest they know and strive to live up to their spiritual ideals are often the most self-critical. As with forgiving others, self-forgiveness is softens us and opens are hearts to grace.
In this poem by Spanish poet Antionio Machado (1875-1939), we feel the freedom of that grace. (Susan Nettleton)
https://wordsfortheyear.com/…/last-night-as-i-was-sleeping…/