More on Forgiveness

• Forgiveness occurs when you systematically lay aside conclusions you have reached about other people and the motivations for their actions. (Maria Nemeth, 1997)

• Forgiveness is not the approval of the wrongdoing. It is reclaiming my freedom of choice.

• Forgiveness is not weakness. It is strength of character. I have the courage to let go, turn the page, and start over. It is a statement that says, “You have no more power over me.”

• To forgive does not mean that I need to like you or approve of what you do. It means I understand your dis-ease. It means I don’t hate you. I don’t fear you. I am free. You can’t hurt me any more. I have the wisdom and strength to make choices.

• Resentments and anger are self-punishment. Forgiveness is self-nurturing.

• The Spanish derivation for “resent” is “resentir,” which literally means “to feel again.” So when we choose not to forgive, we choose to feel the original hurt again—and again—and again.

You write it: What is your experience with forgiveness?