We live in a society where many people’s attitudes are controlled by their score cards. These people have been keeping score on their relationships all of their lives. They keep score with family members and friends. They keep score on their co-workers. Every time they feel that they are treated unfairly it is a mark against that person. If they do not get the raise they feel that they deserve it is a mark against the supervisor. If a family member does not loan them money when they need it, they think to themselves, “That’s okay, I’ll remember that!”
People who keep score cards against others are led by selfish and vengeful motives, whether their perceptions are valid or not. Keeping score against others for not meeting your needs or desires is a potentially devastating way of bringing yourself down to the level of psychological imprisonment. If one chooses to keep score against other people for negative reasons, they have in fact, chosen to give up mental and spiritual freedom. The cost of keeping score cards against others comes at a very high price. Keeping score against others is making a conscious effort to focus on the negativity of others which in turn lends you over to pessimism. It allows your happiness to be controlled by others and circumstances.
Are you a person who keeps score and feels that you have to get back at others who have done you wrong? Do you have odd against people who did not come through for you when you needed them? If the answer is yes then you are mentally and spiritually dragging an invisible ball and chain around your ankle through life. You have allowed the quality of your life to be controlled by others. You have absolutely given them power over your life without you even realizing it. The good news is that there is a solution to your problem. Simply forgive those people that you are keeping score cards against. Choose to release others so that you will be released. The forgiveness of others is the most liberating experience you can have. You take control of your life by forgiving others. Whether or not someone may deserve forgiveness is not key. What is key is that you free yourself from other people’s psychological or spiritual control of your peace of mind. Trust me; life is too short to go around having grudges against other people. By choosing to forgive others you make a conscious decision to take back control of your life and the happiness that you deserve. Instead of choosing to keep score cards, choose to give mercy to others. Choose to be free!
DeWayne Owens Speaking
