The past is the past

Years ago, I came across this great quote: “Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past.”

It reminds us that, as important as they are, apologies repentance, and reconciliation are not prerequisites for forgiveness. Like the Christian notion of grace, it is unmerited mercy that is given.

Life is certainly better in the present when we don't allow it to be weighed down by the distant past. We can acknowledge it, we can learn from it, and we can move forward from it, but we will not waste precious time trying to change it. When we do that, we extend a little bit of grace to ourselves.