Forgiveness As An Act Of Kindness
Jul 12, 2020
In yesterday’s post, we discussed the ways you can show kindness through listening to your loved ones. Listening is just one way your actions can be kind on a day to day basis. Another is to forgive. We often hold grudges against others who’ve hurt or offended us in the past. Sometimes, it’s kind to both them and ourselves to let that resentment go. It can be quite freeing. Let’s look at some of the ways in which forgiveness can be an act of kindness.
Free Yourself from Resentment
When you hold onto resentment and other negative feelings regarding a past incident, you continue to carry around that bad energy. It can eat away at your happiness. It can also hold you back from future positive relationships because you’re afraid of a repeat pattern. Forgiveness allows you to be free of emotions and fears that hold you back. You don’t have to approve of that person’s actions, but you are able to focus on your own needs without continuing to be invested in what the other person may have said or done.
Move Forward with Positivity
Once you let go of old resentment, you can begin to move forward and take care of your own needs. Forgiveness is a process. It probably won’t happen overnight; it will take time. However, it’s worth investing the energy. Ultimately, the end result is for you, not the other person. Forgiving someone means you no longer are fixated on what they did wrong and how they caused you pain. You can begin to focus on yourself and on your healing.
Recognize Your Growth
Forgiving someone can be empowering and insightful. You can look at every experience, even the negative ones, as a chance to learn and grow. When someone treats you in a way that seems unforgivable at the time, it teaches you what type of treatment you won’t accept in the future. You also learn as you process the events. You gain self-knowledge regarding the things that matter most to you in relationships with others and what is required to move on when things go wrong. You learn to set boundaries, but also to take risks.
Don’t Forget to Forgive Yourself
Above all else, it’s important to remember to forgive yourself. There are probably things you regret doing in your past. It’s not unusual to hold onto those things and to berate yourself for your choices. Living with regrets is also something that holds you back. Be gentle on yourself and move on from the actions of the past. Resolve to do better and to choose differently based on lessons learned.
It’s sometimes easier to hold a grudge than it is to forgive. Forgiveness requires strength, insightfulness, and emotional maturity. It’s a kind act for both yourself and the recipient.
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