Bitterness

I just heard something in passing and could only agree with what the person was saying.
They were talking about bitterness.  They used a phrase I had not heard before but encapsulates what I have thought.  They said, “hurt people hurt.”
Although I think there are exceptions to most things, I do think most of the time that is the way it is.  Someone who hurts another generally was hurt themselves and often it is a generational thing.
The point for me is, the cycle has to be broken somewhere and it may as well be me.  I cannot expect things to change without change.  Without intervention the cycle goes on and on.  The person talking about it said for them the cycle was broken with forgiveness.  They made a point I know is very valid.  Bitterness tends to affect worse the one who is bitter. 
But untended it can have devastating results.  Although I do not know the ins and outs of what happened out west recently, it seems reasonable to me that something was allowed to eat at people and they lashed out.  The action was totally unjustifiable but to me highlights the point that when bitterness is allowed to go unchecked, it reaps a devesting harvest.
Even when others are not drastically affected it always has negative implications for the one harbouring the bitterness and resentment.  Even when others are not impacted by someone who holds bitterness, it is guaranteed to affect to carrier.
I have had to pull myself up saying in effect “hang on a minute, what sort of dodgy operation is this?”  So often my bitterness really has no effect on the object of my bitterness.  Often they go about totally oblivious.  Yet there I am stewing.
I tend to look at things in terms of outcomes.  I realize it is a choice for me.  Either stick with this feeling and see it turn uglier and uglier, or forgive and move on.
There is no doubt from my experience it is not easy, but by the same token I reckon it is so worth it.  I want to move on.  I want to be a better person not a bitter person.  Something the person said was bitterness is like drinking poison hoping the other one will die.
To me forgiveness is the way to go.  It is not that another may deserve my forgiveness but hay I did not and no one does.  What I am experiencing affects me and though I may not know it inevitably affects others around me.  My world view will always be shared with those around me.  If I am bitter what I say is coloured.
As is always the case with my thinking, it comes down to my choice.  Freedom is born of honesty – maybe not outwardly, but definitely inwardly.  When things are too hard for me, I ask for help.  As I am fond of saying, “I may not be willing, but I am willing to be made willing.”