Forgiveness Is An Art Not A Science

Science teaches there is a certain systematic way to arrive at an end goal. If this proven way is repeated, you will get the same results every time.

Art teaches that there is not just one way to get where you want to go.

Forgiveness is an art.

There is no formula to forgiveness.  This is bad news.  This is good news.

The bad news is that we cannot just do the prescribed formula.  We actually have to put time and effort into the process.  Yes, forgiveness is a process.

The good news is that forgiveness plays out differently for each of us.  What is so good about that?

I have found there to be elements almost always found in the process of forgiveness:

• demonstrate humility
• give yourself permission to have the feelings you do
• don’t allow your feelings to be a hurdle when forgiving someone
• give up judging
• overcome the myth that forgiving someone gives them permission to hurt us again
• work through the tension of forgiving and forgetting

Choosing to forgive takes away the power of the other person over you.

 

Related posts:

1. Amena Brown: The Tension Is Good
2. How To Find And Grow Same Gender Friendships
3. Negative Reciprocity
4. Video: Surprising Science of Motivation
5. How Winston Churchill Selected Leaders