Every single one of us, at one time or another, has held a grudge against someone; it's human nature. It's just so much easier to be bitter about something than to let it blow over, but we're not doing ourselves any favors by holding on to those grudges, no matter how big or small they may be. Though it's easier said than done to forgive and forget, it's always best to at least try — and, of course, to look inside yourself to figure out why you're harboring these feelings.

The best way to let go of a grudge is to get it all out from inside you. Tell a friend; write it in your journal. It doesn't matter how you do it; just don't keep it bottled up in your mind. Make sure to acknowledge why you're still angry over the situation, and then decide whether it's really worth it. Something as small as a family member's not apologizing to you over something silly most definitely isn't worth the time or stress. Try talking to the person about it, and then just let it go.

Depending on the severity of the situation, holding a grudge can really make or break a friendship. At some point, you have to decide whether you want to mend the relationship and get over it or whether the negativity outweighs the good in the relationship. Just don't allow yourself to string someone along because you can't make up your mind about whether you can let it go. You need to know when to call it quits.

The most important part of letting go of a grudge is moving forward. Once you've chosen to forgive or move on, don't allow the grudge to creep back in. Never try to rehash the situation, because it will only bring back all of the negative feelings — and then you're back at square one.

Try not to sweat the small stuff, and keep in mind that we're all human and we're all going to make mistakes. What really matters is how we handle ourselves when those mistakes are made.

What are some ways you've dealt with your own grudges? Did you get over them, or are you still holding on? Why?

To find out more about Jenny McCarthy and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.