"يمكن للناس أن يكونوا أكثر مسامحة مما تتخيل ولكن عليك أن تسامح نفسك تخلَّ عن ما هو مرير وامضِ قدمًا"

Let’s break down this idea. People are often more willing to forgive than we think. But before others can forgive us, we need to forgive ourselves. Holding on to bitterness only holds you back; letting go is the first step to moving forward.

Why is this significant? Think back to a time when you made a mistake. Maybe you hurt someone’s feelings or messed up a big project at work. You felt terrible, right? Often, the hardest part isn’t earning others’ forgiveness—it’s forgiving yourself. We beat ourselves up long after others have moved on. This quote is all about freeing yourself from that internal punishment.

Take Nelson Mandela, for example. He spent 27 years in prison, facing harsh conditions and injustice. When he was released, he didn't hold onto bitterness or seek revenge. Instead, he forgave his oppressors and led South Africa towards reconciliation. Mandela understood that holding onto anger would only harm himself and the nation. So he let go, forgave, and moved forward.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, catching up with a friend. You share how you messed up a presentation at work last week. You felt so embarrassed and convinced yourself that everyone thought you were incompetent. Your friend leans in and says, “Honestly, people have probably forgotten about it already. They’re likely more forgiving than you think. But you gotta cut yourself some slack. Let go of those negative thoughts and move on.”

Now, let's talk about applying this wisdom. First, acknowledge the mistake or the hurt. Own it. Then, actively decide to forgive yourself. This could mean journaling about what happened, talking it out with a friend, or even seeing a therapist. The key is to process the emotions and then let them go. It’s like cleaning out a closet—get rid of the junk so you have space for something better.

Let’s dive into a relatable scenario. Picture this: You’re a student who failed an important exam. You’re devastated, sure that you’ve let everyone down. You avoid your friends, assuming they’re disappointed in you. Weeks go by, and you’re stuck in a cycle of self-blame. Then, one day, you bump into a classmate who failed the same exam. They’re relaxed and even laughing about it. They’ve retaken the test and moved on. You realize they don’t blame you for your failure, and they’ve forgiven themselves already. It’s a lightbulb moment—you see that you can do the same.

So, what’s the takeaway here? We all make mistakes. It’s part of being human. But holding onto bitterness, especially towards ourselves, is like dragging around a ball and chain. It’s heavy and it slows us down. To really move on, we have to let go. Trust that others are more forgiving than we imagine and give yourself the same grace. After all, life’s too short to carry around unnecessary baggage.

Remember, be kind to yourself. You deserve forgiveness just as much as anyone else.