When I was younger, I was extremely hard on myself and the people around me. Maybe it was because of the trauma I experienced as a child. My father passed away when I was just six months old, so I never knew him. My mother raised me alone, and as I grew up, I often envied those who had what I lacked. This envy turned into anger—anger at myself and at others. If someone wronged me, I found it almost impossible to forgive. I carried that weight for years.
But everything changed when I began my journey of self-awareness. I took a step back and observed my own thoughts and emotions. Despite my struggles, I realized that I had so much to be grateful for. I may not have had everything I wanted, but I had everything I needed. My health was good—I had never been hospitalized, except for minor illnesses like malaria when I was in Africa. That realization shifted my perspective.
I started practicing gratitude daily, appreciating both what I had and even what I didn’t have. Gratitude led me to forgiveness. I let go of the past, especially the things I couldn’t control. Instead of dwelling on regrets, I focused on the present—on building habits and routines that would take me to where I wanted to be in life.
Through this journey, I also forgave the people who had wronged me—whether intentionally or unintentionally. That’s when I experienced true freedom. I stopped being a prisoner of my past mistakes or the hurt caused by others.
Many people think freedom comes from financial success, but true freedom isn’t about money. It’s about letting go of the burdens that weigh us down—regrets, resentment, and fear of the future. If someone hurts you and your first instinct is to hurt them back, that’s not freedom—that’s another form of imprisonment.
Forgiving yourself and others isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. Studies show that holding onto resentment increases stress and can even lead to health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease. On the other hand, people who practice forgiveness have lower levels of anxiety and depression.
The key to happiness and peace is learning to let go. When you free yourself from the past and stop worrying about the future, you’ll finally experience true freedom. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Choose peace over pain, and you’ll unlock a life of true happiness.
