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A better future
D
oes anyone deserve to be forgiven? Th e
answer to that question, in all probability,
is usually no. So why in Th e Happiness
Lab do we spend a whole session encouraging
delegates to consider off ering the gift of forgiveness
to those who have harmed them? Th e primary
reason for encouraging individuals to forgive is that
the act of forgiving someone is good for you. We
do have a choice of whether to forgive someone or
not. We also have every right never to reconcile
with someone who has intentionally caused us pain.
However, should you choose to make the diffi cult
journey to forgive, which does not imply forgetting
or pardoning or reconciliation, then there are
several good reasons for doing so. Off ering
forgiveness enables us to break free from the cycle
of bitterness and revenge; it improves our health;
it opens up the possibility of restored relationships;
and it works for the good of society. What off ering
forgiveness also does is to create a new ending to
the story. Stories can have one of three endings:
revenge, tragedy, or forgiveness. Forgiveness is the
only option that can lead to freedom.