When someone deliberately hurts us, it stings. 

Often for a long time.

Sometimes it’s hard to let it go.

And we nurse that hurt.  Playing it over and over.

So, it never heals.  It just festers.

The problem is that ruminating doesn’t fix the hurt.

If you can’t take any action to change the situation, playing it over and over only makes it worse.

I remember hearing the quote that we must “learn to accept the apologies that we never got.”

It makes sense. 

You don’t have to actually receive the apology.  Just imagine you got one.  Pretend they feel sorry so that you can move on.

You don’t have to forgive them.  You don’t have to forget it.  And if possible, you shouldn’t give them the opportunity to hurt you again. 

But accept that imaginary apology so that you can let it go. 

Remove the poison of hate or bitterness from your heart. 

Having your pain on repeat will end up hurting you more than the original incident.  Because it never gets a chance to heal.