A Breathtaking Phrase You Need to Think About if You’re Clinging to Hurts and Betrayals

Let it go, it’s not helping you

“Memento Mori” has been on my mind a lot

Six years ago, I took the light rail to the airport. I checked my bag and ate an overpriced panini for lunch while I waited for the boarding call. My almost three-year-long nightmare of homelessness was over.

I have written a lot about that time in my life. I wrote so many stories I was able to compile them into two eBooks that are for sale. I wrote a lot of stories, but I haven’t written a lot about the reasons why I was homeless.

I trusted the wrong people, I’ll never let it happen again

I made mistakes. I have been honest about that, but I haven’t written about the betrayals. The betrayals that led to me being on the streets hurt me because people I trusted were the betrayers. I have been allowing those wounds to fester for years.

It’s taking a lot of work and prayer, but I’m getting past it all. I saw this Latin Phrase some time back. I looked the definition up online. It’s a phrase that resonates with me. That phrase is, “Memento Mori.”

“ Look after yourself. Remember you’re a man. Remember you will die.”

“ Memento Mori”

“I’ll be damned.” I thought. I recently celebrated my sixty-fourth birthday. Both my parents died too early. If heredity is in play, I don’t have a lot of time left. Do I want to waste my time picking at old wounds? No, I don’t.

What’s the point of picking at the scab of the past? The Bible talks a lot about forgiveness. What I came to realize is that forgiveness isn’t for the benefit of the people that hurt me. Forgiveness is for me.

It takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it

Whenever the resentment and anger try to surface. I say to myself, “ It’s over, what’s done is done.” It’s hard work. But, you know something? it’s paying off. I’m thinking clearer. My writing is better, and I’m writing and posting more often.

I said it aloud. “ I forgive you, ( Name withheld).

It’s amazing what I’m accomplishing. Changing my thoughts and not obsessing over the past isn’t the only factor. My confidence is growing and my self-worth has improved since I escaped homelessness.

You only have so much time left, focus on what matters

Where are you focusing your energy? Control your thoughts and emotions. Channel your hurt and anger into something positive. My writing has improved and I’m producing more content.

I have more energy to create because I’m not obsessing about the past I can’t change. At some point, I had to let myself heal. I can’t heal by picking at the scab that’s covering the past. So, I let it go.

Final Thought:

Betrayals happen. Let it go. Forgive the people who hurt you. Don’t let them live rent-free inside your head. Forgiveness isn’t for them. It’s for you. You deserve peace and happiness. Don’t let the past you can’t change steal it from you.

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