Forgiveness is a tricky thing.
On the one hand, it feels like you’re letting someone off the hook for wronging you. But on the other, you miss their companionship and are ready to put this behind you.
But forgiveness isn’t forgetting. It’s actually more about remembering—remembering how people hurt each other, how we can make mistakes and learn from them, and how we all grow when we choose love over hate.
We get it. Forgiving someone can feel like a betrayal of self. After all, how can you forgive someone for something you’re not sure they’re actually sorry for?
You don’t. You forgive them for you.
Let’s consider why forgiving is so hard and why it benefits you to do it anyway.
It’s easy to understand why forgiveness is so difficult.
It can be incredibly painful to let go of the anger and resentment when someone has hurt you or your loved ones. You may feel that the other person doesn’t deserve your forgiveness; they should suffer as much as you have.
But what if they don’t? What if the only person who’s suffering is you?
Forgiveness is not condoning what happened or making excuses for their behavior, but rather choosing to let go of the past to move forward with your life.
Forgiveness allows us all room for growth—individually and collectively—and reminds us that we are all human beings capable of making mistakes (even if some mistakes are more severe than others).
Hurt feelings, and deep emotional wounds take time to heal. The forgiveness process won’t be easy, and no one expects you to have positive emotions overnight.
But when you finally get there—the point of emotional forgiveness—there’s a better you waiting on the other side.
Here are five benefits of forgiveness.
Forgiving others can help you feel more at peace and improve your emotional wellbeing. When you truly practice forgiveness, the negative emotions of holding onto anger are released, and you benefit from improved mental health. This can lead to a more positive outlook on life and your overall sense of well-being, reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.
Forgiveness is not only good for you, but it can also help you be a better parent, friend, and partner. It’s an important skill to practice if you want to have healthy relationships with others in your life.
As a human being, you’re guaranteed to make plenty of mistakes. How would you feel if your child, spouse, or another family member couldn’t forgive you for something you’d done?
Forgiving others is good for the soul and the body. Without the weight of anger and resentment on your shoulders, you can sleep better, feel more motivated, and benefit from improved health. Research shows that forgiveness has many mental and physical health benefits, including helping improve your immune system, lower blood pressure, and boost your heart health.
Forgiveness isn’t forgetting, but it is letting go. It can help you start healing by releasing negative feelings toward the other person and allowing yourself to move on with your life.
Forgiveness is an act of self-love because when we forgive others who hurt us, we choose not to allow their actions or words to continue having power over our lives.
Practicing forgiveness is key to healing and transformation—not just for you but for your entire family. It can help you and your family members break the cycle of pain and hurt passed down through generations.
Tomorrow isn’t promised. Start estate planning for your family’s legacy today so that you can enjoy a better tomorrow.
The good news? You’re already in the right place.
Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing your heart and mind.
It can help you to leave a legacy of love instead of bitterness, which can be passed down from generation to generation if left unresolved.
Set the tone. Break down generational curses and start planning your legacy with a California estate planning attorney today. Call now.