CHENNAI: To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you, according to Lewis B. Forgiveness, like so many other things in life, is easier said than done. We all seek forgiveness when we do anything wrong, but our stance is quite different when someone seeks forgiveness from us. What is the reason?
Because we find it hard to let go of what’s happened with us. We must remember that forgiveness can only occur because we have been gifted the ability to make choices.
Hence, if we want to forgive someone no one can stop us no matter how poorly they may act because ultimately its our choice to forgive or not to forgive. If we do not learn to forgive, resentment will poison us and we would end up carrying double burden ie both of resentful thoughts of others’ injustice and the hidden reality of our own injustice.
Hence, the only way to release ourselves from these bitter emotions is to forgive.
The power to forgive comes from compassion,which means we should compassionately and peacefully move forward with what is good, towards what is better. To forgive and forget is love in action. But we must learn to forgive ourselves, as well as others, otherwise the process of releasing the burden would neither begin nor progress.
Forgiving ourselves means letting go of the past. But it also means not making the same mistakes again and again; not inventing convenient ways to excuse ourselves.
A person who has hardened his own heart against others cannot feel even god’s forgiveness and compassion. Hence, if we want to be forgiven, then we must be willing to forgive first, because the one who forgives first not only proves his justice, but especially proves his love.