Forgiveness Day 17th July 2023

Forgiveness is freedom. When you truly forgive and let it go, you set yourself free and it brings peace into your life.

I think the most difficult thing to forgive is betrayal. You may forgive and let it go, but trust won't be gained easily again.

Various posters here have said similar things but for many it is not that simple.

saying you forgive and feeling it deeper down may not happen.

I have tried for forgive using the "person or persons were doing the best they could with what the had" (by what they had could mean knowledge, compassion, foresight, intention)

Honestly i find the practice of forgiving for your own peace etc ........has been hijacked by those who expect to be forgiven for anything and everything they do.

When a person says "forgive but not forget "...... how does that coexist ? ...each time i remember what was done the feelings come back so did the forgiveness not stick.....

if someone has done something and i forgive but not forget ... is it just waiting for it to happen again?

There are times and things that have happened i have forgiven ........ I realized i could not hold on to items that were toxic.... but most i have also forgiven from a big distance easy to forgive someone dead for example because you never will revisit ....... maybe forgive someone you will hopefully never run into again ....... the work comes to play to forgive someone you will still have contact with.

True forgiveness is so hard, but once you realize that it would beniffit your health and mental stability, it really does make a huge change to ones life.

However just because you truly forgave does not mean that you need to allow what broke you in the first place, back in to your life.

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."

- Mark Twain

@MeaningfulSilence

* What's something you would like to let go by forgiving someone or yourself?

i would like to let go of any instance in the past where someone i knew misjudged me for no apparent reason, because obviously, no one is perfect...

* What do you sense to be the main obstacle for you to forgive?

for me, the main obstacle against forgiveness is being too stubborn about living in the past, instead of the present

* What are in your opinion some positive aspects of practicing forgiveness?

one positive aspect of practicing forgiveness is remembering that everyone has their own set of emotions and a personality that should not be overlooked, so definitely consider how others feel, as well as yourself!

* Is there a thought you would share to express your forgiveness?

a thought that expresses my forgiveness is "it's okay to forgive and forget!"

@MeaningfulSilence Is there a thought you would share to express your forgiveness?

They are just like me. They want to be happy. They do not want to suffer. So even though they did something that I think is inappropriate, I am going to let it go because:

I feel better when I do not hold grudges.

Grudges do not help me in any way and do not make me setronger, only more vulnerable to people pushing my buttons.

I do not want to hurt that person because they will only react like a wounded animal and try to hurt me more.

And if I do hurt them, any temporary feeling of revenge will be replaced by a sense of having done something wrong no matter how I justify it.

Every time I get angry it hurts me and makes me unhappy. Rather than blame the one who provided the stimulus, I am going to avoid anger whenever possible and say I am sorry for getting angry if for no other reason than that I feel better.

Just forgive and forget. Thanks,all for your help and support. X

@MeaningfulSilence
Thank you for this beautiful initiative!

* What's something you would like to let go by forgiving someone or yourself?
Being harsh on myself, underestimating my past and overlooking my needs to chase a socially constructed image of success and please others.
I rarely have a hard time forgiving others, I realize it's an ups-and-downs path.

* What do you sense to be the main obstacle for you to forgive?
High standards and rigid values.

* What are in your opinion some positive aspects of practicing forgiveness?
Walking into life with an energy of acceptance and curiosity. Cultivating new and old relationships with kindness and openness to any possible mistakes on the way.

* Is there a thought you would share to express your forgiveness?
When it's no longer serving you, let it go...

@MeaningfulSilence forgiveness

Give compassion for animosity and mistrust

Give kindness for the bitterness that some offer

Give peace for the conflicts that some entertain.

Tear my ego from my soul and bury it deep, for then I will forgive all as I weep! JoRu