So what do you do when someone betrays you?  What do you do with that feeling inside.  How does one become enlightened, or for that matter "happy" with themselves after dealing with a break up.  Be it a break up with a significant other or a break up with a family member.

At times I find myself at odds with protecting myself and with my religion.  As a solitary follower of Hecate, I don't have a great deal of dogma associated with my faith.  I don't have to forgive as instructed by the Christian Bible or even as Buddha suggested in the story about the man who spit in the face of another.

It is said that Hecate does not forgive easily and she holds a grudge.  As Goddess of the Witches, Hecate holds a special place for me, and is why I believe she chose me.  You see, I need someone to watch over me and protect me.  I need that extra dose of confidence.  I believe that's why she's here with me.

So how does this relate to my current situation?  Is it ok to sometimes not forgive?  Are there steps that can be taken that can make you hold a person accountable for their actions and NOT have that feeling of forgiveness in your heart?

We've all heard "forgive and forget".  Some people believe that forgiveness is an offshoot of love; and in order to love, you must forgive.  I be to differ.  How is it love to continue to allow others to berate you?  How is it love to allow others to abuse you?  You cannot love another until you can first love yourself.  Allowing others to hurt you is practicing self abuse.

So at what point is forgiveness in conflict with self-preservation?

I'm not sure I have the answer to that.  I do know that in my current situation and in my current state of mind, I feel attacked and the best way to prevent being attacked is to shield myself from those attacking.  Be it family, be it strangers.  Am I right?   I have no idea.  I can only hope that if I am wrong, I will learn a lesson just as valuable as the one I'd learn by being right.

Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
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