Like a rose petal, human emotions are easily and most graciously bruised. The once-pristine pink and yellow patina blossoms one moment, only to rubbed and melt into the brilliant purple hues of malevolence in the next instant. It is in our nature to be unforgiving of the actions we would not be able to forgive in ourselves. Different layers of morality divide us all, but it is also our responsibility to be trusting of one another to foster peaceful coexistence. Unfortunately, tolerance is usually the key to our survival. But the laws of adaptation have always ruled over us, ever since the earth revealed her primal species to the knowledge of science.

And yet, how can we possibly hope to live in this world if we cannot even forgive ourselves? If it is essential to love oneself, another derivative which speaks so kindly commands that one must also love one’s mistakes. When we wrong others, the apologetic words travel only as far as the hearer’s acceptance. I have said that I’m sorry, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Can time only heal the wounds? Well, the rose bud remains destroyed, and those petals will fall away forever; no time will keep it.

But there you remain, locked away behind the perpetually closed doors of childhood. You have a long way to live. Open your eyes to see that you are not the betrayed. See now that you have only punished yourself. The solutions are simple, but your self-infused judgment will not follow truth. Pace yourself to travel the distance.