The
why
Simply put, forgiveness is choosing not to punish when
we feel like we have a right to condemn. Forgiveness and punishment are
attempts to gain back control. When one is feeling victimized, they may feel
sorrow, resentment, vengeance, disappointment, etc. Either at their victimizer
or themselves because sometimes WE are our victimizers. We perceive that we
have lost control of our life. By being vengeful or forgiving, we are not
punishing or forgiving the other person or thing but ourselves. It gives us a sort
of closure to gain back control and move on.
Let’s summarize all the reasons one must feel like
punishing as: “Hurt” When one is Hurt, they can either take revenge or forgive,
the former, an easy and empty meal. The latter, fulfilling but hard to make.
The answer to this dilemma is imagination. Think of it this way. When a baby
hurts us or throw its toy after we just fetched it back, do we snap and curse
the baby. No, we find reasons like “the baby may be hungry, or sleepy or just
playful or antsy or he wants to exercise.” When you feel Hurt, think empathetically.
See the baby in your enemy.
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