User Comments

1. 

   6/01/09

   MidwestMom

   Honestly, I think it's a strength -- I always have. It takes a much bigger person to forgive than to bitterly hold onto hurt.
   
   But, forgiving does not mean forgetting. And it does not mean restoring a sense of trust to its former level before the hurt.
   
   Forgiving with wisdom means that you allow yourself to learn from the hurt without letting it poison you. To me, it means letting go.

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2. 

   6/01/09

   noetic

   Forgiveness is a tremendous strength.
   
   If we forgive someone or something, we are resolving an inner conflict we have. To not forgive is to dwell, which is tremendously unhealthy.

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3. 

   6/01/09

   chicky401

   I think it depends. Abused women forgive their abuser very often. That is usually because they do not have the strength to stand up to them or leave. A man cheats on me and I will not dwell on it but no way will I forgive him. I would just leave and not look back. However there are many times where forgiveness is a strength too. I typically forgive people but depends on what they do. I never hold onto it though if I don't forgive them I just don't deal with that person anymore.

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   1. 

      6/01/09

      noetic

      As I mentioned, forgiveness resolves any internal conflicts we have. An abusive s/o is very much an external conflict. Unfortunately, we have to find ways to deal with both internal and external conflicts. Forgiveness is very useful with the former.
4. 

   6/01/09

   PeacefulWmn9

   The ability to forgive is a definite strength. It is much easier to hold a grudge than it is to sincerely forgive. However, forgiveness is a wonderful road to peace.
   
   Good question!

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5. 

   6/01/09

   nothingprofound

   Strength. To forgive is to be reborn. To forget is to become as light as a feather. Why carry any excess baggage around?

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6. 

   6/01/09

   jafabrit

   I don't go with either. Just because one doesn't forgive doesn't mean one is hanging onto bitterness or anger or a grudge. Some deserve forgiveness, some earn it and others don't. Learning to let go is important, but forgiving someone is not an absolute necessity for that process.

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7. 

   6/25/09

   thought

   its a great strength which is almost universally abused.

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8. 

   6/25/09

   wormcarnevale

   in the words of gandhi: "the weak can never forgive. forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

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