Understanding Before Forgiving

“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.” -Seneca Today, turn your attention toward someone who has wronged you. A person whose actions still echo in your heart with resentment or pain. Instead of replaying the story from the role of the wounded, rise above it for a moment. See the situation as if you were an observer, not the main character. Then, take a brave step further: imagine putting your heart in their chest, and theirs in yours. What do you feel? What might have driven their behavior? Was it fear, ignorance, insecurity, or a misunderstanding? Most people act from their own pain, not out of pure malice. This doesn’t excuse their actions, but it does illustrate their humanity. Now, refocus on what you can control. You control your own thoughts, feelings, and responses. Resentment is a self-inflicted. Letting go is not a weakness. It is wisdom. It doesn’t mean you condone what happened. It means you choose to let it go. Take a deep breath and, with each exhale, release a little more of the frustration, resentment, and anger. At the end of the day, write about how it felt to soften your grip on resentment. What space opens up inside you when you choose peace over poison? Forgiveness is not for them. It’s for your freedom, your mental health, and your return to joy.