Final Thought Before Bedtime.....Forgiveness

I get these quotes, inspirational, philosophical and amusing sayings, blurbs, etc. on a daily basis via one of my email accounts and this is one I received the other day and it's just stuck in my head ever since. The topic about secrets got me thinking about this as did being angry at the entire world right now. I could go into detail but if I did then I might be forced to admit I'm not really angry, just merely frustrated. Ok, I'm not really angry....frustrated and irritated is probably a more apt description. And I think a lot of that is attributal to hormones and the short rope I seem to be walking on when it comes to irritability, frustration and lack of patience.

Anyhow, I've read this so many times now and am wondering how many people think what this quote says is true?

"When we forgive and let go of that which has weighed heavily on our
hearts and taken us off the path, a great burden is lifted from our souls,
and we are free--free to move forward with an increase of love in our hearts. We
will be blessed with an increase of enthusiasm for life, and our hearts
will be lighter. A surge of spiritual energy will propel us forward in joy
and happiness. The problems of the past will be cast away like old,
worn-out clothes."

Ned B. Roueché

At one point in all of our lives we come to a juncture in the road where we have to forgive and forget or just harbour all the hatred and anger and bitterness. I suppose there are the odd few people here and there that can move on without forgiving. Or is it better to hang onto the old hurts because they remind us of what happened and harden us against letting it happen again....use it as a reminder of sorts. Or is that nothing more than just another excuse to keep the flame burning so to speak?

But is it really and truly possible to forgive someone to the point of total freedom? Can one really forgive and turn the other cheek? Or does one really just forgive but yet keep both cheeks well protected in the future?

Interesting that. How intertwined forgiveness and trust are.

Just something else to think about.