It is true that when we forgive, the obvious beneficiary is the recipient but we need to understand that the benefits of forgiveness for the giver outweigh the recipient.

1. What Is
True Forgiveness
&
How It
Liberates Us
BY SULTAN S CHAUDHRY

2. Before we start, let’s get to know
what are the benefits of forgiving
ourselves and others alike:
MUCH NEEDED HIGHER FEELING OF:
i) Happiness
ii) Confidence
iii) Certainty
iv) Optimism
v) Gratitude

3. The other upside of forgiveness is
that it can reduce and help to
protect us from:
i) Depression
ii) Anxiety
iii) Restlessness
iv) PTSD
v) High Blood Pressure

5. 1) To uncover our anger by exploring how
we have avoided or addressed the emotion.
2) Make the decision to forgive.

6. 3) Cultivate forgiveness by developing
compassion for the offender.
4) Release the harmful emotions and reflect
on how we may have grown from the
experience and the act of forgiveness itself.

7. Most people in general have wrong assumptions and
convictions what true forgiveness is, and that it’s
more important for the recipient than the giver.
It is true that when we forgive, the obvious beneficiary
is the recipient but we need to understand that the
benefits of forgiveness for the giver outweigh the
recipient.
The First
Misconception
About Forgiveness:

8. Forgive From The
Heart Not The Head:
When we decide to forgive others with all our heart not
just the head and good intentions, only then the
recipient can find peace in his life as he/she will be guilt
free and carry on with his life in a normal manner without
holding onto any grudge.
Most importantly when we forgive others from the heart,
then we are setting ourselves free from any past harsh/ill
feelings and negative thoughts that act as a hindrance in
living our life completely in many ways.

9. Because of the anger and grudge we hold in our hearts,
we do not trust people, avoid people in general and lack
the confidence in dealing with similar situations in a
positive manner.
In the words of Jonathan Lockwood, “forgive others, not
because they deserve forgiveness, but because you
deserve peace,” which is why it’s more important for our
own well-being to forgive others.
Forgive From The
Heart Not The Head:

10. The Second
Misconception
About Forgiveness:
There is also another misconception about
forgiveness which is not to be taken lightly.
The reason some people don’t want to forgive others,
is because they believe and think it’s a sign of
weakness and by doing so, they are showing their
nicer side to the people, who might perceive this as
being a weak and timid person.

11. It Takes Real Courage
To Forgive Someone:
But in reality, it’s totally the opposite, because when we
have to forgive someone, we are in fact taking control
back of our life and not be a hostage to our own thoughts
and feelings anymore that can weigh us down in many
ways.
From here on we stop being a victim and do not feel pity
for ourselves anymore.

12. It Takes Real Courage
To Forgive Someone:
If I am to conclude here, I have to emphasise that
forgiving someone demands a lot of inner strength and
courage as well as to counter your ego that was stopping
you from forgiving people in the first place.
The crux of the matter is that if you want to liberate
yourself from past anger/resentment that is holding you
back from living a complete life, then you have to be
willing and prepared to forgive others no matter what.