A step by step tool for top achievers

Step 18: Avoid Bearing Grudges. Forgive and Forget
Don't be a garbage collector. Have you heard the phrase I can forgive but I can't forget?
When a person refuses to forgive, he is locking doors that some day he might need to
open. When we hold grudges and harbor resentment, who are we hurting the most?
Ourselves.
Jim and Jerry were childhood friends but for whatever reasons, the relationship fell apart
and they hadn't spoken for 25 years. Jerry was on his deathbed and didn't want to enter
eternity with a heavy heart. So he called Jim, apologized and said, "Let's forgive each
other and be done for the past." Jim thought it was a good idea and decided to visit
Jerry at the hospital.
They caught up on 25 years, patched up their differences and spent a couple of hours
together. As Jim was leaving, Jerry shouted from behind, "Jim, just in case I don't die;
remember, this forgiveness doesn't count." Life is too short to hold grudges. It is not
worth it.
Shame on Me
While it is not worth holding grudges, it doesn't make sense to be bitten time and again. It
is well said, "You cheat me once, shame on you; you cheat me twice, shame on me."
John Kennedy once said, "Forgive the other person but don't forget their name." I am
sure that his message was that one should not get cheated twice.