Forgiveness

The title of this post may be misleading. 

I do not believe and practice forgiveness for the sake of forgiveness. 

But, this is for sever wrongs. I do not hold resentment, but, I do not forgive. 

My heart and soul require atonement. 

I hold myself to the same standard. 

Right now, my atonement is painful down to my core; I haven't known this kind of hurt in a long, long time. I don't see it as punishment, it just happens with this particular situation what I have to do hurts very badly. To forgive, the ways must be mended. The path must be changed. I have to do one of the most selfish things I've ever done. This is my path to forgiveness. Anything else, to me, is empty and insincere. In your life, don't just say "sorry," or offer an apology, change what your doing, if it's an ongoing habit. Or, if it's a one time mishap that is hurtful, show them with your actions that you did not mean it (assuming you didn't). This is what binds us as human beings. 

No, this is not punishment. This is love. Possibly the greatest kind of love that a human can muster.