There are people who may have hurt us. Their attitude and behaviour may have given us legitimate cause to get angry and upset. We may have said to ourselves that we have moved on and forgiven them, but sometimes deep down we carry not just the memory, but we also carry a grudge against them.

Carrying a grudge is carrying an invisible load. The emotion of hurt and anger, no matter how justified, does us more harm than good. We do not realise it, but we continue empowering the very person we have been wronged by.

We often forget that we too may have made our share of mistakes. And the one thing we have deeply desired having wronged someone, is complete forgiveness. When we continue carrying a grudge, somewhere we have lost our humility to recognise that we too have erred in life.

People change, situations change, life is ever-changing. By holding a grudge against someone, we have made our division and distance permanent, shutting out all opportunities of healing, reconciliation, and building a relationship afresh. We may not realise it, but we may be losing out on what may turn out to be a potentially beautiful relationship.

It is not easy to let go and forget what may have been a difficult and maybe even a nasty experience for us. We may have been victimised in our moment of vulnerability, but why do we keep victimising ourselves by the memories, emotions and hurts by holding on to the grudge?

There are many beautiful things we can hold on to. We need to hold on to the precious relationships we carry, we never know what can happen tomorrow. We need to hold on to the happy memories and experiences which have shaped us and made life a joy, even through our challenges. We need to hold on to the values and principles that define us. We need to hold on to the energy, spirit, and enthusiasm that flows through us. We need to hold on to the opportunities life gives us.

Life passes us by quickly. When we sit back and reflect, there are many wonderful things to hold on to. And we will realise the simple truth – life is too short to hold on to a grudge.