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So, what’s stopping us from overlooking the power of forgiveness?

Firstly – I believe that we confuse apology and forgiveness.  We fail to recognize that forgiveness is an act primarily of inner dialog of the victim where apology is the outward act of the transgressor.  We tend to associate forgiveness as a reward that victims can offer a transgressor after sufficient apology and compensation. 

Secondly – I believe that we associate forgiveness with loss and victimhood.  Gandhi said “Forgiveness is the province of the strong, for the weak can never forgive.”  We somehow feel short-changed if we forgive someone, especially if we have not received 10 fold in compensation.

Thirdly – I believe we lack understanding of forgiveness: It is no surprise then that if we fail to even understand what forgiveness is, and only consider using it as bait to lure transgressors to offer amends, that we fail also to understand the true secret power of forgiveness. 

In closing:When we look deeply at the sayings of the philosophers and sacred leaders, we can understand that in any given conflict, there are only two directions – one towards vengeance and the other toward forgiveness.  Let’s choose the path to forgiveness.