Can you forgive and forget?

You hear it all the time- that you should forgive others. You should let go whatever they did to you. I once read in an Essence article that talked about forgiveness. I really love this quote that stated, "But even though it may seem that a willingness to forgive lets the other person off too easy, in fact, when we hold on righteously to anger, betrayal and hurt, we're the ones who suffer in the long run"- Suzanne and Dr. Sidney Simon. When you don't forgive - it's you that is losing out and they have the power. What's funny is that the other person may not even be aware of when they hurt you or even care. People go on about their lives not worried about your feelings being hurt. The boyfriend that cheated on you or made you upset---he is probably playing basketball with the fellas or talking to someone else. Your coworker that took your project and claimed it ---is not worried about you either. Your suppose to forgive these types of people. Hmmm...that seems easier said than done. I just spoke to my friend and she told me about someone she saw at a restaurant. The person was an ex-friend who made her really pissed in the past. Anyway, instead of speaking to the ex-friend- she didn't say anything at all. Later on, my friend questioned her actions. Her actions said she didn't forgive the ex-friend--she was still holding a grudge. The right thing to do would've been to speak and see how miss ex-friend is doing. You would be the bigger person and your actions would show you are not storing away past drama/issues/resentment. Talking to my friend made me think if I have truly forgiven others. I think I still need some work. I just had an opportunity to be the bigger person the other day and didn't do so. I let the little grudge I was holding probably get the best of me. However, I am still improving everyday. If there is someone out there who hurt you-- try to forgive them--be the bigger person.