It is so simple to hate someone, to blame him for the problems and misery we face. But many do not realize that a person does not actually alleviate pain by directing his hatred at others. Rather, it only serves to elevate the suffering. How can someone be happy if he has negative thoughts constantly on his mind? Slowly, but surely, the process would wear him down; just like destroying your house to get rid of a pest. The end is achieved of course, but at what cost? And is the result worth the effort?
I read somewhere that hatred does not solve a problem. While you are miserable and cynical, the person in your "thoughts" might be carefree and happy, completely unaware of the grudge held against her. Why should this be the case? Is it worth the suffering you go through? We should try to be kinder to ourselves, and learn to forgive. Not only to forgive others, but forgive ourselves for the mistakes we make. By letting go, we can free ourselves of the heavy emotional burden synonymous with hatred.
It is never easy to forgive someone, probably with dignity and pride at stake. However, once we find the courage to do so, everything just seems to fall into place. We become happier and stop punishing ourselves for something that is possibly beyond our control. It is vital to note that forgiving someone does not give him the right to hurt you again. As the song goes, forgiven, not forgotten… It is not about bearing grudges. You grow wiser from the experience, and learn how to protect yourself.
Human beings are not perfect. We do have negative thoughts about people. But it is important not to be consumed by hatred, and lose our bearings. It takes a lot more courage to admit our mistakes and forgive, than to blame others for our plight.