Footsteps To Freedom

“People tend to think I will forget the negative things they said. But there is no expiration date for disrespect.” Nope, I will not forget, and neither should you! Remembering how someone made you feel, how their words cut so deep that you bleed for days afterwards. Having everything you believed about this person, was a lie. Forgiveness is acceptable and necessary; however, the pain will continue to resonate. People should never act on their anger. Anger is an emotion, to act on it, is a choice. If you choose to act, then I have the God given right to feel anyway I want to feel. My best version of me is when I trust you. Once you show me who you are, you will get that version of me. Do not ever ask me why I changed, ask what happened to make me change. Do not allow your pain and suffering to be my burden to carry. I was not there when that person hurt you. I do not deserve your pain! I have my own!

There is nothing more toxic than accepting people’s craziness, unfairness, or betrayal because you think you did something wrong. You did nothing wrong!

People have no problem pointing out your mistakes but as Paper Quotes UK says, “a lot of people would learn from their mistakes, if they weren’t so busy denying them.” Paper Quotes you could not have said it any better! Your mistakes should make you a better person overall because you are able to look at yourself, own your mistakes and learn from them so you can grow from them. In theory mistakes are just building blocks to a better you!

Your Positive Oasis said it best “Stop giving people the power to control your smile, your worth, your attitude and your day. Do not give anyone that much power in your life!” Never give up your power, to anyone! Not your husband, not your wife, not your children and not your friends. Keep you power and hold on to it because you earned it. I am not concerned so much with money, but my power and my respect are things I will not compromise.

Disrespect changes your heart. We should not let it, but it happens. We should pray for our enemies and those who come up against us. We should remember that vengeance is not our, it is the Lords. But disrespect causes a great deal of pain and unfortunately, even when we forgive, the sting of betrayal lingers.

I was reading a scripture in the bible, Matthew 5:23-24- “If your brother (sister) sins against you, go and tell him/her his fault between you and them alone. First go to the other person one on one and in private. If you someone sins against you, you need to address them first, not someone else.” Life would be so much easier if people did this, and when they do not, we must act like the Joker Quotes-Be yourself. People do not have to like you and you do not have to care.

Even in my pain and feeling the pain of betrayals and disrespect I continue to try and live by the words of my idol Maya Angelou: “she said, I have learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I have learned that even when I have pains, I do not have to be one. I have learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm, hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I pray always to make people feel better than they did before I entered their life.