Forgiveness Is An Attitude
Why is it important to forgive? Here’s my answer…..and it’s not a transformative or earth shattering answer, and you’ve probably heard this response many, many times before. Here it goes……forgiveness is more about you and for you than the other individual. You’ve heard this before, right? Forgiveness is the act of showing mercy and compassion towards the other person or party and experiencing freedom from conflict. Your actions communicate that you are willing to show forgiveness in exchange for peace. In other words, you are demonstrating through the act of forgiveness that you are consciously acknowledging that instead of participating in strife, hostility and drama……let’s not forget the drama, you’re choosing to forgive or dismiss the offense. That’s why the saying goes, it’s more for you than the other person. The interpretation translated means, you’ve determined in your heart that your sense of joy and peace will not be dictated by another person or people’s actions whether intentional or not. Obviously, it’s easier to forgive when you sincerely believe it was not intentional, however in your heart of hearts, when you really believe it was intentional, of course it takes more courage and faith to forgive. Nonetheless, it takes a very strong willed and confident person to forgive regardless of the circumstances surrounding the offense. I suspect you’re a strong willed, confident person, therefore I congratulate you because the act of forgiving itself is transformative and liberating and it sets you on a path to joy and peace that surpasses all human understanding.
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I know...you’re thinking, how is forgiveness an attitude? Thanks for asking.
The dictionary defines attitude as,
a position, stance, viewpoint or orientation of the mind.
So, when it comes to forgiveness we must orient ourselves or position ourselves to understand that most days we are forgiving people for something they will do wrong. We must adopt the attitude or viewpoint of naturally doing this, the same way we naturally inhale and exhale without thinking about it. Because there’s no doubt about it, people will need to be forgiven. Humans, consciously and most especially subconsciously say and do things daily that may require forgiveness.
For example, perhaps you’re in the middle of a conversation with someone, either at home, school or at work and someone walks up, joins in the conversation and takes over while you were still talking….rude yes, but does it happen, oh yes. And, what about the person that sees you standing in line but yet gets right in front of you anyway as if you’re invisible. Sometimes, it is appropriate to speak up and say something in hopes that it really was an accident.
However, what about if you’re already angry about something else or annoyed and frustrated, should you say something in that instance, probably not because it could quickly escalate and turn into something not so nice. It’s just easier to forgive and let it go, right? Not really, so that’s why it’s an attitude.
Forgiveness has to be an intentional position or stance, because otherwise you will find yourself harboring resentment towards people and most of the time they may never know. So, make up your mind every day before you step out of your home that you will put on this attitude.
When you do this, no one and I mean absolutely no one will steal your joy. Let’s do this! Your heart will thank you.