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If you’ve been hard on yourself, I hold the space for you to forgive. If you have grudges, I hold the space for you to forgive.

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Everyone keeps telling me to forgive you. They tell me it will help in the healing process. They tell me it will lift a weight off my shoulders. They tell me it’s the right thing to do. 

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As a Black, dark-skinned woman, I’ve had to repeat this practice of forgiveness forcefully over my lifetime.

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I will forgive you because I deserve peace. My heart and my soul deserves peace.

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You’re allowing yourself to be free.

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It was where the experience with myself began to get better.

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You’re not a bad person. You’re not a disappointment or a failure. You’re just human. You’re still learning and growing and finding your way. And it’s okay. You’ll be okay.

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That’s what I am. Regretful. 

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If you want another chance, you need to earn it. You need to show me you are not going to turn around and hurt me again.  

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It is not a lack of emotional intelligence that causes you to guard your heart. It is wise.