Forgiveness is one of the most radical and liberating acts we can choose. It is not easy. It is not quick. And it does not mean forgetting or excusing harm. But it does offer something else, something sacred. Forgiveness opens the door to peace.
To forgive, ourselves or others, is to untie the knots that bind us to the past. It is a conscious act of release that softens our grip on pain and allows us to return to the present, lighter and more whole.
The Invitation of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not about letting someone “off the hook.” It is about no longer allowing their actions, or your own past mistakes to rule your inner world. It is about reclaiming your energy, restoring your heart, and choosing freedom over the weight of resentment.
Carrying anger or guilt can slowly erode our vitality, manifesting as anxiety, depression, chronic stress, even illness. Choosing to forgive is a profound act of self-respect. It is the beginning of healing.
Why Forgiveness Matters
Emotional Liberation
Letting go of resentment makes space for joy, love, and compassion. Forgiveness invites us into emotional spaciousness.
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Studies show that forgiveness can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, boosting overall wellbeing and even physical health.
Healthier Relationships
Forgiveness fosters empathy. It helps us see the humanness in one another, building trust, softness, and connection.
Personal Evolution
When we forgive, we step into our power. We become active participants in our healing and growth rather than passive holders of pain.
The Path to Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not linear. It unfolds differently for everyone and may take time. Be gentle with yourself as you walk this path.
1. Acknowledge the Hurt
Let yourself fully feel what happened. Be honest about the impact. Your pain is valid.
2. Look Deeper
If it feels safe, try to understand what may have driven the other person’s actions. This doesn’t excuse harm, it simply humanises the experience.
3. Choose to Forgive
Forgiveness begins with a conscious choice. You may need to return to that choice again and again. That’s okay.
4. Release the Pain
Find safe ways to release what you’ve carried, through movement, journaling, breathwork, tears, or talking to someone you trust.
5. Return to the Present
Forgiveness brings you home to the now. Practice gratitude. Be with what is. Let this moment be enough.
Forgiving Ourselves
So often, we extend compassion to others while withholding it from ourselves. But without self-forgiveness, healing remains incomplete.
We all make mistakes. We all carry regrets. The invitation is not to erase them, but to learn from them, to grow, transform, and return to wholeness.
Practices for Self-Forgiveness
• Acknowledge the Truth
Be honest about what happened. Own it with compassion, not shame.
• Offer Yourself Kindness
Speak to yourself as you would to someone you love: “You did the best you could with what you knew.”
• Make Amends, if Possible
Apologise. Repair. Commit to doing better.
• Let Go of Guilt
Guilt that lingers becomes a cage. Allow yourself to be free.
• Affirm Your Worth
“I am worthy of forgiveness. I am growing. I am learning. I am enough.”
Two Meditations for Forgiveness
• Loving-Kindness (Metta)
Begin by sending love to yourself
“May I be safe. May I be free. May I forgive and be forgiven.”
Then extend this love outward, to someone you love, someone neutral, and eventually, someone who hurt you. Let your heart soften with each breath.
• Forgiveness Visualisation
Sit in stillness. Picture the person or yourself who needs forgiveness. See the hurt you carry, and with each exhale, imagine it dissolving. With each inhale, breathe in peace and release.
Letting Go, Coming Home
Forgiveness is not forgetting. It is remembering differently. It is choosing not to let pain define you. It is reclaiming your heart and restoring your peace.
Forgiveness is freedom. And you deserve to be free.
Thank you for reading this post.
With love, Sahar Zadah
