Re: What is forgiveness anyway? And why would you want to?

Agree with all the posts. Forgiveness is just a form of healing of your attitude towards someone. Feeling hatred or continual anger towards someone only gives puts you in emotional bondage and gives that person complete power over you.

I have major issues with my mother and now that her abusiveness has gone on to another generation - namely my children, my anger and hurt is more intense than ever. But I do my best to understand forgive her, since her issues existed before I did. But at the same time I will absolutely protect myself and my children from her abusive behaviour in any way possible. And that has largely manifested itself in estrangement from her. So forgiveness is not the same AT ALL as letting someone off the hook or making yourself more vulnerable to them.

Forgiveness is ultimately something you do for yourself - because a lifetime of anger and bitterness is no way to live. Tweet