Life is rarely fair. Many people can be cruel and heartless, and the pain can be unbearable. Despite the feelings of injustice, we need to choose the path of forgiveness if we want to have a happy, peaceful, harmonious life with those next to us. In most cases, that is our family.
The absence of forgiveness is a cause of many world tragedies
The act of forgiveness is not an easy task. Tribes, societies, countries, families and friends fight. Some are still fighting. And much of this conflict is due to differences between people, or with someone that has offended or judged you in some sort of way. Much conflict is based on the desire for revenge or power.
Forgiveness brings good feelings
Forgiveness isn't impossible, even in the most serious of cases.
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Forgiveness reduces agitation which causes physical problems.
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Forgiveness reduces stress that comes from thinking about things that cannot be changed.
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Also, forgiveness will help with your thought process as not forgiving someone will limit and preoccupy your thoughts. It will allow you to be open to sharing your feelings with others, including accepting the love of someone trying to care for you.
The personal recovery after putting it into practice
Minimizing your anger and grudges comes from living for forgiveness. Forgiveness is an internal experience that helps you recuperate peace and tranquility in your life. It is possible that someone can forgive another one day, yet the anger returns. This is normal. This is how forgiveness is a process that we need to practice. In order to forgive, here are some ideas.
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Your hatred doesn't hurt your adversary, but your own soul.
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The best response to your enemies is to have a good life full of success.
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The second best response is responding with a good habit, breaking the flow of things.
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Look at the good side that comes from the offense.
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Think about the people that have done good things for you.
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Look to the big picture.
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Love them anyway.
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Try to equal out confidence and knowledge.
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Stop counting the errors of others.
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Pray for your enemies and those who hurt you.
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Try to put yourself in their shoes and imagine how they saw it.
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Keep in mind, people can offend others, but you need to forgive them.
Restitution
Sometimes, a person was really judged or prejudiced against. Forgiveness doesn't take away this aspect; except for making it less important. Forgiveness implies that you and someone else can live in peace even though one of you has hurt the other.
Forgiveness recognizes the wrong and makes the person who has been wronged able to continue with his life. Forgiveness can live with justice and doesn't make it impossible to do the right things. You can go forward with a different perspective.
In the end, we aren't perfect, and we commit errors. Not forgiving is, in a way, the same as offending someone. When we love our neighbor, we are patient and tolerant. We separate people from their actions. We forgive to be forgiven.
This is our best contribution to the world; putting into practice forgiveness, which is the best of all victories, and one of the solutions to the problems of mankind.
Translated and adapted by Taylor Richardson from the original article "Como Perdoar Quem Nos Ofende" by Chris Ayres.
