Look around you. How many people are truly happy? Not that many, right? One of the reasons why people are not fully enjoying the lives they're living is simple: they are stuck in the past. They are stuck with their past regrets, anger, unresolved issues and hurt. For many of us, instead of starting our day with hope, joy and anticipation, we relive our old, outdated yet equally toxic negative memories.

Believe it or not, anger is actually part of our biological response. It is designed to respond to environmental threats so we can defend ourselves and those around us. Therefore, a moderate dose of anger is perfectly natural and is actually good for us. However, being angry for a prolonged period of time is unhealthy, and if you have regular, uncontrollable anger outbursts, it may be a signal that there are some underlying problems which you should pay attention to.

Meditation is linked to enhanced empathy and compassion, but don't be tempted to force yourself to forgive someone by practicing meditation. You should probably find some ways to cope with the stressful situation, and bring closure to these events, before you decide when to forgive the persons involved. There is nothing more destructive than simply forgiving and not drawing healthier boundaries for the future. In every unpleasant situation there is wisdom to be extracted, lessons to be learned. Before you decide when to forgive somebody, it is always helpful to have a close look at what lessons you can learn from the situation, and how you can do better in the future. After you've learn your lessons and how to draw boundaries, it is now a good time to let go.

In stead of rushing to forgive someone by practicing meditation, you can use this ancient practice to do what it does best - to let you clear your mind. Meditation helps you develop a laser sharp focus so you can correctly define and diagnose the problem that bothers you. It also helps you to come up with coping strategies and solutions that you don't normally see. For example, you may find it hard to forgive your parents who you think mistreated you, when your mind is still and clear, you may be able to see that the problem isn't totally about them, rather it also has to do with your communication skills. When you correctly identified the problem, you are in a much better position to improve the situation.