I have been asked on more than one occasion if I hold a personal grudge against Margaret Thatcher, as if I personally have been hurt or hard done by her policies. Simple answer is no, BUT it would appear that I find it hard to move on from her legacy. (I see it all around in the mess we live in!)

The first time that I tried to strike out in my own business, it coincided with one of the recessions that hit us which have been laid squarely at her ‘boom and bust’ economics policy, but that has largely been forgotten by me if I’m honest. The business just didn’t work!

I worked in the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years, and it was there that I saw the true effects of Thatcherism on so many hard-working good people, who’d been cast aside by an uncaring society. That has affected me deeply, I’ll admit openly.

Add to that the recent revelation that someone who is related to me has forgiven a close relative of theirs who wronged them badly, yet I cannot believe how they can so easily befriend them again. It wasn’t me that was hurt, so why do I find forgiveness in that case to be more of a problem?

I know that I can forgive people who have hurt me badly, personally, deeply. I can stand on that!

So here is my question:
Is it possible that it actually is easier to forgive when you are the one directly affected? I know that I cannot tell victims of terrorist violence to forgive and move on. That’s not my place and I have no right, but I know that I want to!

Grace be with you.