One of my teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag 
and a sack of potatoes. For every person we'd refuse to forgive 
in our life experience, we were told to choose a potato, write 
on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of 
our bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.

We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere for one 
week, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat when 
driving, next to our desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear what a 
weight we were carrying spiritually, and how we had to pay 
attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it 
in embarrassing places. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes 
deteriorated to a nasty slime.

This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our 
pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as 
a gift to the other person, but it clearly is for ourselves as 
much as anyone!!

So the next time you decide you can't forgive someone, ask 
yourself...Isn't your bag heavy enough?


Author Unknown