Something happened today that got me feeling like maybe I’m too quick to forgive, and that people are starting to take advantage of it.

I’ve always believed that forgiveness is strength — an act that brings peace, both to myself and the people around me. But today, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my readiness to forgive might be giving others permission to continue to misbehave without consequences. It made me wonder: Where’s the line between being forgiving and being taken for granted?

It’s tough because I don’t want to be the kind of person who holds grudges or keeps score. But I also realize that there needs to be a balance. I can’t keep giving people a free pass when they show no signs of change or remorse. Forgiveness, after all, is not a license for others to repeat the same behavior that hurt me in the first place.

Maybe it’s about boundaries — about learning how to forgive without necessarily letting the person back into a position where they can misbehave again. Forgiveness doesn’t have to mean forgetting, or even reconciling. It’s about letting go of the bitterness for my own sake, while also being mindful of who deserves a place in my life.

I’m learning that it’s okay to forgive, but it’s also okay to protect myself. It’s okay to give second chances, but not endless ones.