FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is complicated. I honestly did not know how complicated a concept this was for me—and others—until I began writing about it in my new book Words To Thrive By- Powerful Stories of Courage and Hope. Everyone, it seems, has a moving story about forgiveness in his or her life. And it doesn’t seem to matter if the story is about giving it, receiving it, denying it or being denied it. Forgiveness is powerful no matter which way the story goes.

Some people believe that there are things that others have done which are so horrible that they are unforgivable. Alexander Pope said, “To err is human. To forgive, Divine.”  I am saddened and somewhat embarrassed to admit that in writing about forgiveness, I discovered that there are still people or past job resentments in my life that I am not yet able to fully forgive, despite what a Divine experience it would be for all of us.

But, I’m working toward the goal and relief of forgiveness, no matter how far off it might feel at any given moment.

Choosing to remain angry about wrongs done to you by another makes every moment of your life a burden and you remain hostage both to that person and what they did to you. The toxic effect of endlessly resenting another person and their negative actions is like swallowing a dram of poison yourself and wishing that other person would die. Not too terribly productive for either side.

But is forgiveness really essential to apeaceful and full life? In a word: Yeah.

Who in your life or work do you need to finally let go of and clear the past, asking them for forgiveness? Who or what in your life or work do you need to offer the “olive branch” of peace at last? Can you imagine the relief and release?