July 7th recognizes Global Forgiveness Day. The day and other forgiveness days like it encourage forgiveness as part of an element of personal health.
A University of Wisconsin study regarding forgiveness found forgiving people suffered less from certain illnesses. On the other hand, less forgiving people suffered a higher number of health problems. Withholding forgiveness causes stress, which can lead to physical symptoms like – anxiety, high blood pressure, and depression. Holding onto forgiveness may cause negative emotions and problems with anger and frustration.
Forgiveness is described as pardoning someone after an offense. It also includes letting go of feelings of resentment or anger. Taken from financial accounting, the term means no longer requiring a payback.
“Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.” Marianne Williamson
Finding a path to forgiveness can sometimes be challenging. Talking to others, writing down your feelings, even speaking to a professional can help. Different perspectives help us to see a way to forgiveness. Carrying the burden of pain and resentment costs much more than forgiveness. That’s why there is so much value placed upon it. Developing skills that enable us to forgive is a powerful ability.
“We think that forgiveness is weakness, but it’s absolutely not; it takes a very strong person to forgive.” T. D. Jakes
While forgiveness may heal, it doesn’t always lead to reconciliation. The giver and receiver may never repair their relationship, but forgiveness allows them to move on to a more peaceful place in their lives.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Visit the Global Forgiveness Day website. Practice forgiving someone– including yourself. Share your experiences with regards to forgiveness. Accept forgiveness when someone offers it to you. Sometimes it’s the most difficult thing to give.
Use #GlobalForgivenessDay to join the conversation on social media.
HISTORY OF GLOBAL FORGIVENESS DAY
CECA founded National Forgiveness Day in 1994 in Victoria, British Columbia. As the celebration grew, they renamed it Global Forgiveness Day.
