What is Forgiveness?  How does it work? 

Forgiveness is not a one-time thing!  When you consciously and intentionally decide to forgive someone, generally there has been an action of conflict that has arisen.  The feelings created are emotionally charged with resentment, vengeance, and mistrust.  When the need for forgiveness is initiated, you are feeling that somebody has wronged, hurt your feelings, victimized, or harmed you somehow.  Then the steps to the process of forgiveness begin:

• Uncovering the emotions that are coming to the surface from this event.
• Explore how you address the emotions that come up or did you avoid the emotions altogether
• What led you to the decision to forgive?
• Acknowledging the pain, and understanding the hurt that was caused by the action of the conflict
• Process by reflecting, reviewing, and pondering thoroughly
• Forgive in the present moment

Forgiveness can be a radical conscientious action that automatically follows a conflict that activates emotions deeply within your core.

Forgiveness of the present is even more important than forgiveness of the past.  If you forgive every moment – allow it to be as it is – then there will be no accumulation of resentment that needs to be forgiven some time later.
~Eckhart Tolle~

Forgiveness and unconditional love have, different characteristics!  Forgiveness allows you to forgive yourself and others for past or present hurts or wrongs.  Unconditional love helps you accept your imperfections and those of others without judgment.

Forgiveness is a conscious decision to release feelings of resentment towards a person or a group who has harmed you regardless of if they deserve forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting or condoning or excusing someone’s behaviour.

Forgiveness brings peace of mind and frees you from anger and resentment.  Let go of negative feelings about the person or persons involved.  Forgiveness does not require you to trust, nor be loyal or even like them moving forward in the future.

Remember forgiveness is for you to create an environment in your inner being with feelings of peace, serenity, and calm.