Local artist

We are not privy to the stories behind people's actions, so we should be patient with others and suspend our judgement of them, recognising the limits of our own understanding.

Epictetus (book by Sharon Lebell)

We truly have no idea what's going on with other people and where they are at on any given day. We don't know what others are thinking and feeling, their history, the hardships they have endured, the stories, often distorted, they have built over time, to explain and understand the world around them. We don't know of their doubts, flaws, hopes, strengths, fears and/or their addictions. (Being addicted to our own ideas seems to be rife at present)

Hence, forgiveness of others and their actions, often ignorant, is needed more than ever. I don't believe people are wretched, vile or horrible creatures. They are simply doing what they think is right in the moment. They take actions that they believe will enable them to live a better life or achieve a more successful outcome. Remember, being addicted to our thinking and believing we are right, is possibly the most difficult addiction of all.

All of us addicts have done dumb, horrible, selfish shit. At the time, it felt right and justified. In hindsight, we know our actions were awful.

Forgiveness of others and especially, forgiveness of ourselves.