Forgiving And Forgetting

Question

I have always been quick and glad to forgive. Well this time I am having trouble forgetting. As a lot of you know I had sever depression with psychosis ideations. I quit my job that I had waited to do all my life to stay home and take care of my grandchildren that came to live with me and my husband.  A short time after the youngest left I got really sick and said a lot of things about my husband to different people. The girls were really mean and hateful, said they thought I was just being mean. After 24 years I was going to hurt anyone? Yea, right! I took an overdose and ended up in a state hospital. My husband has emotionally hurt me for 35 yrs. and while I was sick said awful things to me. Even though there are a lot of empty spaces that I can't remember, but lucky me I remember their treatment, my families treatment of turning me out when I needed support, and my physical illness finally got me. Then it all took over my mind. How do you forget bad memories? I want to forgive but I'm afraid I will get sick again and the same thing would happen. I don't mean to act like I'm having a pity party. I just need to forgive, even better forget. I wish there was a magic wand

A MyDepressionTeam Member · Accepted Answer

Momo, forgiving and forgetting are very different things. Forgiving is for YOU, so you can move ahead in your life, and it is not a one time thing. It's a process, a journey. I'm not sure if our brains will allow us to forget, but I believe that forgiveness will help those painful memories to subside.

A MyDepressionTeam Member · Answer

I keep telling myself that. I am a forgiving person. If I wasn't I wouldn't have stayed 40 years. I said something the other day that is reality to me. I can't live today without worrying about tomorrow and forgetting yesterday.  Thanks everyone for being my counselor

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