Forgiveness……

What exactly is forgiveness? Is it just saying I’m sorry, or is it much more?

This is not something that can be answered in one blog. It is a concept that has confused people of all ages.  I have learned (and I am still learning) that forgiveness is not so much for the person you are forgiving as it is for you.  If this is something you are struggling with please bring it up in session and we will work together on this part of your journey toward healing.

For now I would like to share some quotes regarding forgiveness:

He who is devoid the power to forgive is devoid the power to love­~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” ~Corrie ten Boom

People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
~ Mother Teresa

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi, All Men are Brothers: Autobiographical Reflections

The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”
~ Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Forgiveness has nothing to do with absolving a criminal of his crime. It has everything to do with relieving oneself of the burden of being a victim--letting go of the pain and transforming oneself from victim to survivor.”
~ C.R. Strahan

I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.”
~ C.S. Lewis

He who cannot forgive others destroys the bridge over which he himself must pass ~George Herbert

Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.”
~ Henri J.M. Nouwen

We don’t’ like to forgive people who have hurt us, that’s O.K. It’s a conscious decision to say to God.  I choose to forgive them by Your power because you command it and its for my own good.  Then five minutes later when the hurt comes back do it again until it’s gone.~Unknown author

Hope this helps you on your journey of forgiveness.

Lisa Marie