In most of the animes that I’ve watched,

…and my favorites, there is a cycle of war born out of hatred and revenge that lasted for hundreds or even thousands of years. Everyone hates the other country or nation because of what their ancestors did to their own ancestors. It was a never ending cycle of killing, of anger, of hatred, of war.

Naruto Shippuden is a story set in a world where nations have hidden villages of ninjas that goes to war or provide military strength to the nations they belong to. These nations are in constant doubts of each other thus have their ninjas go to war just because of thousands of year ago dispute. Brothers and sisters and fathers and mothers and friends and lovers died putting everyone in constant hatred with each other resulting to a cycle of war.

Attack On Titan is another anime wherein a country confined within strong walls because of human-like monster outside the walls that eat humans. During the last season, it was made known that the people inside the wall are all descendants of the human-like monster and would just want to live in peace but the outside world treats them the same as their ancestors thousands of years ago. They want to kill them and in response, the Eldians, people inside the wall, want to kill them too as they had lost their brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, friends, and lovers.

Is it the same as the war of Russia with Ukraine? Is the reason for war been based on a century-old belief? How about racism? Why are Blacks and Asians being singled out by White? I’ve seen this in Germany wherein the lady thought I was stealing when in fact I was placing grocery items on the counter to pay.

The time I wrote this, school where my son studied was accused of cyber bullying along with his classmates. In response, one of his classmates said that the accuser is part of the conversation in chat where the alleged cyberbullying happened. The response of the executive vice president of the school is for them to file their own complaint. Revenge?

In our everyday life, I hope all of us will find in our hearts to forgive, how difficult it may be. I for one cannot say that I will forgive anyone that would hurt my family and not be able to avenge them. I honestly don’t know. But, let’s all try together.

Today and forward, we should be focusing our energy to make the world a better place for the generations to come. Living in more than a century-old belief wont help us progress.

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Forgiveness is a complex and deeply personal journey, one that challenges the very core of our emotional resilience. It is a path that asks us to look beyond the pain and the betrayal, to see the possibility of peace and closure. It is not an easy task, and it is entirely human to feel the pull of retribution, especially when those we hold dear are the ones who have been wronged. The instinct to protect and to avenge is ingrained within us, a primal response that has safeguarded us through the ages.

Yet, as we stand at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, we are called to reassess these instincts. The world has evolved, and with it, the complexities of human relationships and societal structures have become more intricate. The beliefs that have guided past generations for over a century have served their purpose, but now, we are tasked with forging new philosophies that can sustain the future we envision.

The act of forgiveness, therefore, is not just a personal milestone; it is a collective step towards a more empathetic society. It is an acknowledgment that holding onto anger and resentment binds us to the past, preventing us from moving forward. It is an understanding that every individual is capable of change, and that in forgiving, we allow not just others, but also ourselves, to grow beyond the confines of our grievances.

This is not to say that forgiveness equates to forgetting or that it absolves individuals from the consequences of their actions. Rather, it is about choosing a path of healing over one of perpetual conflict. It is about recognizing that the cycles of vengeance do little to mend the wounds we bear; they only deepen them, creating chasms that become harder to bridge over time.

As we look towards the future, our energy must be channeled into constructive endeavors. We must invest in education, in dialogue, and in the nurturing of compassion within our communities. We must encourage the younger generations to think critically, to challenge outdated norms, and to build upon the foundations of knowledge with innovative ideas and solutions.

The world we wish to create for those who will come after us is one where understanding triumphs over animosity, where diversity is celebrated, and where progress is measured not just by technological advancements, but by the strides we make in human decency. It is a world where the legacy we leave behind is not one of division, but of unity; not of enduring conflict, but of lasting peace.

To achieve this, we must be willing to embrace change, to let go of the century-old beliefs that no longer serve us, and to adopt new perspectives that reflect the interconnectedness of our global community. It is a monumental task, one that requires courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of humanity.

In our everyday lives, let us strive to embody the principles of forgiveness and progress. Let us be the examples for others to follow, demonstrating through our actions that it is possible to transcend the hurt and to find common ground even with those who have caused us pain. Let us work together, hand in hand, to cultivate a culture of understanding and acceptance.

And so, as we move forward, let us remember that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Each act of forgiveness, each moment we choose to focus our energy on positive change, is a step towards the world we aspire to create. It is a step towards a legacy of love, compassion, and progress that will echo through the ages, inspiring generations to come to continue the work we have begun.

In conclusion, forgiveness and progress are not just lofty ideals; they are practical pathways to a more harmonious existence. They are the keys to unlocking a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, and where the collective well-being of society is placed above the grievances of the past. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us hold onto the hope that together, we can make the world a better place, one act of kindness, one moment of understanding, and one step of progress at a time.