The Gift of Forgiveness

 

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Dr. Robert Enright. 

"Dr. Bob, as he was affectionately called, founded the International Forgiveness Institute. He studied the psychology behind forgiveness. Making it more of a science than an art. 

To understand forgiveness, one must understand what forgiveness is not. 

• Forgiveness does not mean you've forgotten the injustice. 
• Forgiveness does not mean you condone the wrongdoing. 
• Forgiveness does not mean you get revenge. 

Forgiveness is a gift. It's love.  It's generosity.  It's mercy. 

As we give this gift, we heal.  

Holding a grudge acts like a tourniquet to the flow of healing. It closes the heart and the wounds remain open. 

Real forgiveness takes strength. It takes courage. It takes honesty. It takes time. 

But it's worth it.  

So very much.