Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful

Opening Scene

The room is quiet, bathed in the soft glow of evening light. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the atmosphere is still and reflective. Jack sits on the couch, looking out the window, his mind clearly elsewhere. Jeeny stands near the table, holding a cup of tea, her gaze far away, lost in thought. The air between them feels heavy, as if a deeper conversation is waiting to unfold.

Host: After a long moment of silence, Jeeny turns to Jack, her voice soft, but filled with the weight of her thoughts.

Jeeny: “You know, I came across something that Marianne Williamson said that really got me thinking. She said, ‘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.’ It really made me wonder — why is forgiveness so hard for us? Why does it feel like such a burden to let go of the hurt, even when we know it’s the only way to find peace?”

Jack: “That’s such a powerful statement. It’s true, forgiveness isn’t just about letting go of anger — it’s about letting go of the pain itself, and that’s not easy. Sometimes, forgiving feels like we’re acknowledging the hurt, giving it space, and in a way, it feels like we’re accepting something we don’t want to accept. It feels like we’re giving power to the person who hurt us.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s like forgiveness means we have to confront the very thing that caused us the most pain. We have to relive it, face it head-on, and let go of the idea that holding onto the anger or resentment is somehow keeping us safe. But, in truth, all that holding onto it does is keep us stuck in the past, in the hurt.”

Jack: “It’s like we get trapped in that cycle, right? The pain becomes a part of who we are, and forgiving feels like we’re losing a part of ourselves. But in reality, it’s the only way to break free, to move forward. Holding onto the hurt, even though it feels justified, just keeps us tied to the past.”

Host: The conversation feels deeper now, the weight of Williamson’s words settling between them. Jeeny sits down at the table, her eyes meeting Jack’s, and she continues, her voice steady but reflective.

Jeeny: “I think part of it is that we don’t always see forgiveness as a choice. We think we have to forgive because it’s the ‘right’ thing to do, but in truth, forgiveness is for us, not the person who hurt us. It’s a decision to release ourselves from the weight of the wound, to stop letting it dictate our peace. But making that choice is so hard when the pain is still fresh.”

Jack: “Yeah, it’s like forgiveness isn’t just a decision we make once. It’s something we have to choose over and over again, especially when the hurt resurfaces. It’s not about forgetting or excusing the wrong, but about freeing ourselves from the grip it has on us.”

Jeeny: “And maybe that’s where the peace comes in — not in pretending the pain didn’t happen, but in choosing to release its hold on us, to stop letting it define who we are or how we live. When we forgive, we create space for healing, for moving forward.”

Jack: “It’s that freedom, isn’t it? The peace comes when we stop holding onto the wound, when we stop letting it control us. Forgiveness isn’t about making the other person right; it’s about making ourselves whole again.”

Host: The room feels warmer now, the quiet reflection between them turning into a gentle understanding. Outside, the world continues its rhythm, but inside, Jack and Jeeny have come to realize that forgiveness, while difficult, is the key to peace. It’s not about excusing the hurt or forgetting the wrong, but about choosing to release its power over us, allowing us to move forward.

Jeeny: “So maybe forgiveness isn’t about the other person at all. It’s about reclaiming our own peace, our own sense of freedom. It’s about stopping the cycle of pain and choosing to heal instead.”

Jack: “Exactly. And while it’s hard, it’s also the only way to truly find peace. As long as we hold onto the anger or resentment, we stay trapped in the past. Forgiveness is the key to moving forward, to being free of that weight.”

Host: The room falls quiet, the understanding between them settling in. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared sense of clarity — that true peace doesn’t come from avoiding pain or denying the past. It comes from the courage to forgive, to release the hold that hurt has on us, and to make space for healing and growth. The journey toward peace, they realize, begins with forgiveness — not just for others, but for ourselves.