Forgiveness

When you have the power to heal the wounds you have;

Forgiveness is a complex topic, one that deals with the heart and mind on many levels. Why do we forgive? Why should we forgive? What is it to forgive? That is the question that we will be diving into in this article.

We all know what it feels like to be hurt, to be disappointed, and to feel the weight of other people’s actions that have negatively affected us. That is where we experience grief, sadness, anger, and maybe even the desire to seek revenge for how we have been treated. But, there is an alternative, one that might not always come to mind, one that might not always feel like an option, because why? Why should we forgive? And what is it even to forgive?

To many the concept of forgiveness can seem like weakness, but I think of it quite on the contrary of that, to forgive is often a sign of great strength, because it takes so much more to forgive. But forgiveness does not mean that what was done to you was right, it does not mean you have to forget, or that you have to open yourself to being hurt again. Forgiveness it something you give in order to let go, it is a way to stop, not to hold on to anger, to grief, and to pain.

Forgiveness is a gift, not just to those who overstepped against you, but it is a gift to yourself, that is the most important. Forgiveness does not nullify your pain, or the struggle you faced because of a persons actions, but forgiveness releases you from the chains of anger, hate, rage, and in some instances grief.

I have faced the dilemma myself, holding to anger, holding to rage, wanting revenge, but I often had the thought, “this is not me”, “I am better than this”, “forgive”, and while it wasn’t always easy, I have found ways to forgiveness. But, my forgiveness wasn’t an open invitation to be hurt again, I forgave, I choose not to think about it, but I can never forget, and I will always defend my heart and mind.