Dear Abby >> While doing some house cleaning, I came across a column of yours that I had clipped and tucked away. On one of the pages I had dog-eared was the poem, “Decide to Forgive.” I was struck by how timely it is. The message is much needed at this time. I believe in “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Please reprint the poem because, to me, it’s a treasure.

— Joanne in Delaware

DECIDE TO FORGIVE

By Robert Muller

Decide to forgive

For resentment is negative

Resentment is poisonous

Resentment diminishes and devours the self.

Be the first to forgive,

To smile and to take the first step

And you will see happiness bloom

On the face of your human brother or sister.

Be always the first

Do not wait for others to forgive

For by forgiving

You become the master of fate

The fashioner of life

A doer of miracles.

To forgive is the highest,

Most beautiful form of love.

In return you will receive

Untold peace and happiness.

And here is the program for achieving a truly forgiving heart:

SUNDAY: Forgive yourself.

MONDAY: Forgive your family.

TUESDAY: Forgive your friends and associates.

WEDNESDAY: Forgive across economic lines within your own nation.

THURSDAY: Forgive across cultural lines within your own nation.

FRIDAY: Forgive across political lines within your own nation.

SATURDAY: Forgive other nations.

Only the brave know how to forgive. A coward never forgives.

It is not in his nature.

Dear Abby >> I returned from an errand this morning, and my husband was across the street from our house wearing only a robe, naked underneath and talking to the wife of our neighbor. I’m fuming because I feel it was totally disrespectful to me as well as inappropriate, and he should have dressed himself first. What do you think?

— Mortified in Arkansas

Dear Mortified >> I agree with you. If your husband was hanging out across the street talking with your neighbor’s wife, he should have had on a pair of shorts underneath his robe.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.