Text Box: DECIDE TO FORGIVE Written By: Robert Muller, former United Nations Assistant Secretary General (Written for International Forgiveness Week; published in “DEAR ABBY”, 01/28/91) Decide to forgive For resentment is negative Resentment is poisonous Resentment diminishes and devours the self. Be the first to forgive, To smile and to take the first step. And you will see happiness bloom On the face of your human brother or sister Be always the first Do not wait for others to forgive For by forgiving You become the master of fate The fashioner of life The doer of miracles. To forgive is the highest, Most beautiful form of love. In return you will receive Untold peace and happiness. Here is the program for achieving a truly forgiving heart: Sunday:               Forgive yourself. Monday:              Forgive your family. Tuesday:             Forgive your friends and associates. Wednesday:       Forgive across economic lines within your own nation. Thursday:            Forgive across cultural lines within your own nation. Friday:                 Forgive across political lines within your own nation. Saturday:            Forgive other nations. Only the brave know how to forgive. A coward never forgives. It is not in his nature. George Roemisch in the poem ‘Forgiveness’ says: “Forgiveness is the fragrance of the violet that clings to the heel that crushed it.”