Forgiveness - A Misunderstood Concept

Forgiveness-a very misunderstood concept. It is often used in ways that are far from appropriate. I was recently reminded of the importance of forgiveness to my brother, when he said to me, "You can't forgive your mistakes, you never learn from them." I was stunned and didn't know what to say.

Forgiveness can be a powerful tool for transforming our lives. It is not something that we can acquire or should learn later in life; it is a gift that is freely given to us by God. It can make all the difference in the world. So, why is forgiveness such a misunderstood concept?

My brother's comment, while wise and loving, highlighted an important truth. While forgiveness may seem like the easy answer, it is neither easy nor without consequences. The truth is that forgiveness does not erase or change anything in our lives. It simply gives us the opportunity to begin anew. And I can tell you from personal experience, this is usually the hardest part.

Forgiving is about life-changing principles that can impact every area of our lives. Forgiveness-a practice we should embrace in our own lives today, is about learning to live in peace and harmony with those around us, without holding grudges or hatred. It is about the power of choosing to walk into another person's shoes, without being afraid of who we will find along the way.

When we forgive, we have the opportunity to free ourselves from many of the emotional traps we feel when we hold onto anger or hurt. We may not be able to move past those scars, but learning to forgive can. In fact, sometimes just the act of forgiveness itself can help release those old emotional traumas, allowing room in our lives for new, healthy emotions to arise. Forgiveness-a practice we should adopt in our own lives today, has many rewards. Not only do we get a renewed sense of who we are, but forgiveness gives us a deeper sense of who others are, as well.

Forgiveness is about more than personal gain or forgiveness of others. Forgiveness is about moving forward, learning to grow. Forgiveness is about moving through our lives without holding on to negativity or pain. Forgiveness is about moving toward a more balanced life, one where we feel good about who we are and what we have, while at the same time, not holding on to anything we may think we need or want. Forgiveness is about moving forward, letting go of past hurts, past regrets, and creating a better future for ourselves and others. Forgiveness is a practice we should adopt in our own lives, one that we may find makes all the difference between success and failure.