Forgiveness

Viktor Frankl said that even where circumstances and conditions are completely beyond your control, you retain absolute control over one thing:  how you choose to respond.

You may encounter experiences in your life that seem so big, too painful, too spiteful and mean, too unjust, so completely unfair and undeserved, that moving past these experiences may seem impossible.

If you don’t want to live a life of pain, bitterness, anger and sorrow, forgiveness is one way, perhaps the only way, to liberate yourself from circumstances, injustices, or harm done to you.  It might not be easy but it is possible to embrace a life of peace, freedom and thankfulness.

Forgiveness is not for small grievances, annoyances or mistakes. It is reserved for big events: betrayals, deliberate or negligent harm, brutality in thought, word or action, for truly unforgivable offences. 

Forgiveness is not a one-time release that guarantees a pain-free future.  Forgiveness does not mean you need to have a continuing relationship with the person who harmed you.  That involves reconciliation, which needs the commitment of both parties.

Forgiveness is a walk that you choose, not for the sake of those who harmed you, but for your own health and well-being.  Failing to forgive does not harm the offender, but it will harm you.

If you have an interest in exploring forgiveness, I would be pleased to be your guide, coach and companion.