Hi Daniel, I’m a psychotherapist in Chico, CA. Your story really resonated with me. Hearing you talk about focusing on our own (my own) feelings, our repression, perfectionism, self-loathing, lack of boundaries instead of trying to empathize with those who harmed us is so powerful. Your video was the best therapy I’ve gotten in months! I couldn’t help but imagine what you endured & you’re right - we HAD to forgive, we had no choice - we had to forgive or rot away - & the only we could do this was to distance ourselves from who we actually were/are - Healing is a gradual coming back to that authentic self - embracing, even reveling in that which we had to discard - the pain, the loneliness, the rejection, the isolation. If you ever feel so inclined, please reach out. The tears I shed while watching your video was one of the very few times I didn’t feel bitter. I felt seen, mirrored & understood in my desire to grow & distance from a pain we will always carry.