I remember an episode of Just Shoot Me where Finch erred against Jack and Jack was obsessing about how to forgive his sidekick. He wanted to restore their friendship but he couldn't do it "without a reason." So he devised ways and comically (the show is a comedy after all!) failed, one attempt after another. Then Maya told her dad in a straight-forward manner, "Sometimes, we forgive people simply because we want them in our lives." It solved the problem. Yada... yada... And they lived happily ever after. Credits roll. I've had my dose of stupid entertainment.

My reaction to that: Whatever! The idea that forgiveness is for free is nothing but cheese. C'mon, it's a big blow on the pride. People who have wronged you deserve to know just how big an offense they have committed. I mean, I take responsibility whenever I do something wrong. Why shouldn't everybody else? To repent is the least they could do. We should get even. Nothing is free. People should deserve something before they get it.

I lived with that philosophy for a while then...

[Fast Forward]

Scene: Present

[Stop]

[Play]

Today, I spoke to someone who... well not really wronged me but let's just say didn't fulfill her obligations and in the process burdened me. As in I really had things to hold against her! I admit there was some bitterness in my heart that I found it hard to even look at her and talk to her at the start. But we had a heart to heart. I revealed my emotions and my stand. She explained her side. And before I knew it, I forgave her (or since it's not really a sin, we can say I "absolved" her). And tell you what, I discovered that the line I found so cheesy and unreasonable before proved to be the most reasonable and natural thing. It is very true.

Sometimes too many words just get in the way. Sometimes grand actions only complicate matters further. Sometimes carrying a grudge or just a small annoyance feels too much, feels unnecessary. Sometimes we transcend ourselves and find the things we worry about are too small when compared to the bigness of life, of relationships, of trust. It is in these times that one would find out that the best thing to do is to forgive.

Forgiveness is for free. It's as simple as that.

P.S. Who would have thought I'd get an insight from Just Shoot Me? Go shoot me!