Forgiveness is not easy – but it is MUCH easier when first asked for it. Forgiving someone after being asked for it is important – but it still leaves room for personal validation of our egos to say “see, I was right after all, so now that you acknowledge it, okay – I forgive you.”
Help Wanted! If you were hurt long ago in the past, or in a small way today, close your eyes, take a deep breath, breathe out slowly and forgive the individual by name (and/or by face). The world is more connected than we think. There is more power to forgiveness, especially when the individuals ‘know not what they do’.
Few gifts worth giving rival proactive forgiveness — it will make the forgiven, the forgiver, and the world, better.