I don't think forgiveness is that cut and dry. I believe there are legitimate reasons that you don't need to forgive someone who wronged you. I don't like the way Western society pushes the whole "forgive and forget" philosophy as though if you don't forgive, then you're not a good person.

I don't need to forgive my brother for being the asshole he is, to obtain peace of mind. Healing from abuse is not cookie cutter and this is the problem I have with the way Western culture forces people to fit into the cookie cutter philosophy of "you need to forgive in order to feel peace of mind." ********. You do not.

My lack of forgiveness towards my brother hasn't impeded my ability to be kind or empathetic to other people, or to myself. I don't need to forgive my brother or anyone who's wronged me, to move on with my life and be happy. For me, not forgiving the other person is not about holding a grudge, as much as its about taking a stand, to say, "What you did was awful. I won't tolerate that from you and I won't put up with that ever again."