How to Forgive Yourself

Hey. I'm Francisco Meyer.

I'm not going to pretend I've got this all figured out. What I've got is fifteen years clean, a wife who stuck by me, three kids who call me Dad, and a past I can't erase. I used to run with a gang in East LA. I hurt people. I made choices I can't take back.

Forgiveness? Man, that's the hardest thing I've ever had to learn. Not getting forgiveness from others—that's up to them. I'm talking about forgiving yourself. Looking in the mirror and seeing someone worth saving.

Where to Start

If you're carrying guilt:

The Weight Of Guilt — Yeah, it's heavy. Let's talk about it.
Living With Regret — You can't change what happened. Now what?
When Sorry Isn't Enough — Sometimes it isn't. Here's what else matters.

If you've hurt people:

Making Amends — It's not about making yourself feel better.
When They Won't Forgive You — That's their right. Where does that leave you?
Facing What You Did — No excuses. No hiding.

If you're starting over:

Second Chances — They're real. I'm proof.
Becoming Someone New — Not erasing who you were. Building on it.
Earning Trust Again — It takes time. A lot of time.

If you're stuck:

When You Can't Forgive Yourself — Sometimes that's where you are. Let's sit with it.
The Difference Between Guilt And Shame — One can help you. The other just destroys.
Moving Forward — Not moving on. Moving forward. There's a difference.

A Note on This Wiki

I work with at-risk youth now in East LA. Kids who remind me of myself at their age—angry, lost, making bad choices because they don't see another way. I tell them my story because I want them to know: you're never too far gone to turn things around.

But here's what nobody tells you about redemption: it's not a moment. It's not a decision you make once. It's every single day, choosing to be the person you want to become instead of the person you were.

Forgiving yourself doesn't mean what you did was okay. It means you're choosing to live anyway. To do better. To be better.

That's what this wiki is about.

— Francisco Meyer, proof that people change