It's okay to hate someone, you don't have to force yourself to forgive

Have you ever heard things like this? "It's all in the past, just be more understanding." "You need to learn to let go, forgiving others is forgiving yourself." But why should some hurts be easily forgiven? If you have to pretend to be magnanimous every time you're hurt, and show your good manners every time you're offended, where do you put your grievances? You can choose not to retaliate, but you absolutely have the right not to forgive. Not forgiving doesn't mean you're narrow-minded; it's just you protecting the part of yourself that was hurt, in your own way. You don't have to pretend to be a saint, nor do you have to force reconciliation with those who hurt you. Keeping your distance and living your life well is the best way to account for yourself. Tonight, stop forcing yourself to 'forgive' anyone. Leave a 'I don't forgive' in the comments. Tonight, let's not be saints, let's just be our true selves!