Forgiveness

The Healing Power of Forgiveness: A Summary

"Experts agree that acknowledging pain is an essential component in both granting and receiving forgiveness, and that both actions come from strength," stated the writer Mimi Leahey, in "The Healing Power of Forgiveness" (2005).

Misconceptions always confuse people and usually cause more pain. One misconception is, do not wait for someone to say, "I'm sorry" to forgive them. Another bad clichй is "Forgive and forget." It is a wonderful thing to be able to forgive someone, but we should not forget what they have done to us. If we forget what someone has done to us, then we are likely to fall back into the same trap. The third misconception is forgiveness and justice are different things. Hence, it is okay to forgive someone who has done us wrong, but everyone must pay the price for what they have done.

Organizations have been formed to promote forgiveness, both on a personal and global level. Some organizations have been formed out of a concern for the future. The Forgiveness Project is such an organization. Archbishop Desmond Tutu received a Nobel Peace Price, in 1984, when he spoke out for the rights of black South Africans.

Being able to forgive someone is a "small miracle." Hallie's family forgave the woman who had hit their child, they knew that it was not her fault. So, forgave her instantly; they knew that their beloved Hallie would have wanted them to do so. As a result, a foundation was formed in Hallie's name. The foundation later helped the children of AIDS in Africa by building a home for children.

For almost everyone in the world, it is harder for them to forgive God than it is to forgive the person who actually did the harm. Hallie's family feels that God let this happen to their precious 11-year-old girl. It was easy for the family to forgive the