"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
The word “forgiveness” means different things to different people and is often hard to do. Instead of “forgiveness,” I like the word “insight" (human behavior).
There are many barriers to forgiveness, a few of which are fear, anger, resentment, and depression; many of the same conditions that dissipate when we do forgive.
Is forgiveness a choice?
Can we overcome barriers to forgiveness by pausing before we react to someone or something?
Sometimes quick reactions are in our best interest such as in pulling a child from the path of an oncoming car. Stress in the right dose serves us well. But an overdose is often counter productive as in panicking during a fire in a theatre. Granted, with some circumstances in life forgiveness like grief is a process that should not be accelerated.
Forgiveness is a powerful gift that releases us from the bondage of past failures, hurts and disappointments. It is a principle of success that few discuss in regard to the impact it has on both our personal and professional lives.
I cannot change yesterday, but I can make the choice whether to learn, grow and move on from past mistakes and misfortunes, or allow them to control my emotional well being today and what my attitude will be in the future.
The need for forgiveness in our lives is directly proportional to the degree of which we have failed, been hurt, or victimized. The more I have experienced these destructive encounters the greater degree of forgiveness is needed to mend the damage done.
ASK YOURSELF, CAN I NOT ONLY FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO HAS WRONGED ME
BUT CAN I FORGIVE MYSELF FOR THE WRONG I DO TO MYSELF AND OTHERS.
What is forgiveness?
ReplyDeleteGenerally, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you may always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.
Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.