2015-08-03 International Forgiveness Month (1)

• International Forgiveness Month
• What is forgiveness?

Two special days this month put the focus on forgiveness

How easy is it for you to say to someone, "I forgive you"?

Many times, when someone hurts you, the last thing you want to do is to forgive them. And even if you know you should, forgiving someone can still be quite a challenge.

"Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive." This is how famous write C.S. Lewis once described the difficulty of forgiveness.

Yet studies have shown that forgiveness can benefit you more than the one you forgive.

What is forgiveness?
Forgiveness is a conscious decision to let go of your resentment. It doesn't mean that you have to forget what the person did to offend or hurt you. It also doesn't mean that you have to excuse the act or the person's responsibility. Instead, you choose not to remember the situation and the person with anger. This will help prevent the negative emotions from causing you greater problems.

Editor's Summary
I forgive you.

Is that easy for you to say or not?

If you’re hurt, probably not so easy.

And even when you know you should forgive, it can be a challenge to actually do so.

I like what C.S. Lewis had to say about forgiveness.

“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.”

So true.

But, did you know that studies have shown that forgiving someone benefits you more than the person  you are forgiving.Forgiveness is actually a conscious decision to let go of resentment.

You don’t have to forget what a person did, but you don’t have to excuse it either.

If you can remember the situation and the person without being angry, it will help prevent greater problems in the future which negative emotions may cause you.

Language Lab
forgiveness n. [forgive v.]
when someone forgives another person
- The thief got down on his knees in front of the store owner and begged for forgiveness.
- Forgiveness means letting go of the past and being free.

challenge n.
something that tests strength, skill, or ability, especially in a way that is interesting
- Finding a cure for this disease is a difficult challenge.
- Ryan likes to explore new things and enjoys challenges.
challenge v.
to invite someone to compete or fight against you, or to try to win something
challenge somebody to something
- My nephew challenged me to a game of chess.

conscious adj.
awake and able to understand what is happening around you
- It takes a conscious effort of both husband and wife to maintain a good relationship.
noticing or realizing something [= aware]
- The wounded passenger was still conscious when he was sent to the ER.

resentment n.
a feeling of anger because something has happened that you think is unfair
- The boy has a deep resentment towards his classmates because they bullied him.
- The workers don't dare to show their resentment because they fear losing their jobs.

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