Forgiving yourself means that you give up on your hope that the past will be different.

To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage." ~Samuel Johnson

When we forgive, the slave we free is ourselves.

Forgiveness takes intelligence, discipline, imagination, and persistence, as well as a special psychological strength, something athletes call mental toughness and warriors call courage.

I forgive,” Penny said. “But I don’t forget. I’ll remember the kind of gum you were chewing when you did me wrong.

I’m sure she didn’t mean what she said. Life’s too short to hold grudges.”
“No, you just have to organize your time better,” Elaine said. “I believe in grudges. They help you survive.