Value Of Forgiveness

5.1 Introduction

Have you ever felt offended by anyone to such an extent that you have till today not been able to forgive the person?

Might be. But have you ever wondered that feeling of resentment and hostility that causes unforgiveness has a major impact on you as well. Being in continuous resentment, you will not be able to work with full concentration. A sub-conscious part of your mind always keeps you nagging of the feeling of grudge and resentment.

As per the dictionary meaning, ‘unforgiveness’ is explained as:

“Feeling of resentment, anger and hostility towards a person who has harmed you or did something wrong to you”

Unforgiveness is common symptom found in people who have been victimized. They include survivors of crime, accident,

Forgiveness is not instantaneous, rather it is a process of change that needs a lot of determination and commitment.

1. Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time:

Most of us have made certain commitments to ourselves and to our loved ones. These could be achieved while we work with all our efforts and senses in the right direction. What if something hinders our efforts and rather divert our path. This is what anger, grudge and resentment does. One should understand that his resentment is not worth enough to stop him from the objective of his/ her life. Hence forgiveness is a better option to carry on the directed efforts.

2. Empathize the other person’s circumstances:

Consider yourself in the place of the transgressor and try exploring the situation in which he was compelled to hurt you. It might be possible that the transgression committed by the person might not be intentional and rather situational. He might not be having any ill feeling against you while he committed the act.

3. Consider your

They sometimes acquire a space in our psyche and keep on nagging us of the mistake we committed. But as far as you are aware of your mistake and accept it, you should not be doing so. It not only trips your self-esteem but also inhibits you from doing your tasks appropriately.

Another aspect of forgiveness that most people overlook is that of self -forgiveness. Indeed, people often aren 't aware that they are holding grudges against themselves. But the internal monolog, the chatterbox that lives in everybody 's head, might be calling you all sorts of names, starting with stupid, ugly, jerk and spiraling downward from there. Refusing to forgive yourself causes you as much damage as does refusing to forgive others.

The act of forgiving requires generosity and work. Forgiveness doesn 't happen quickly, but in time and through awareness you can bring it about. In doing so, you will have given yourself freedom to live life fully rather than stifling your emotional and physical health with the