Forgive and Stay Positive

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that a violet sheds on the heel that crushed it.” – Mark Twain.

At workplace and in our lives, how often do we forgive each other?

Now that’s an important question to ask yourself if you are stressed. Because most of the times, stress is a result of holding a grudge against someone. More you hold it, more stress it adds. It adds toxicity into our thinking, speech and our interactions.

For me, “Forgive, Forget and Move on” has been the best approach to stay positive and light from within. It is therapeutic.

I was recently reading Robin Sharma’s book “Who Will Cry When You Die” for some inspiration. The book has short chapters with simple lessons. That makes it a great book to pick up when you want some quick insights in a limited time!

In one of the chapter, Robin says –

“When you bear a grudge against someone, it is almost as if you carry that person around on your back with you. He drains you of your energy, enthusiasm and peace of mind.  But the moment you forgive him, you get him off your back and you can move on with rest of your life.“

So when we forgive someone, we are not doing any favor to the other party. But we are doing a great favor to ourselves. Forgiveness is a selfish act that you do for yourself. People might associate ability to forgive with a weak personality type – so be it. As I mentioned, it is more about how we feel after we forgive someone and not how someone thinks!

In the management development program, we were asked to sit in complete silence in front of lit candles. We were then asked to close our eyes and think about people who had wronged us at some point in our lives. We bought those people in front of us – in our thoughts. We then said, “I know you hurt me at some point but today, I forgive you. I hold no grudge against you. May you remain happy.”

Most of the people who did this exercise felt lighter from within thereafter.  As I said, it had therapeutic effect on a lot of us.

It is not only about knowing, but practicing forgiveness. One of the best ways to stay positive.

I would conclude this stream of thoughts with gem of a quote on forgiveness (I read this on Amitabh Bachchan’s blog)

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover that the prisoner was you.”

Next time, try forgiving someone. I can safely bet that you will feel better.

Have a great week ahead!!