True forgiveness by way of our thoughts should create a feeling of relief and peace within ourselves.
We often hold on to feelings of resentment toward someone when we think that because of their mistakes, they are indebted to us. If we continue to have these thoughts, no form of apologies will ever allow us to truly forgive, because the feelings of resentment will still be present.
So to truly forgive, you will need to change your thoughts about the situation or person. Your thoughts could become, “I forgive them, and I am choosing to not interact with that person anymore.”
Remember, you are forgiving for your own sake. You retain your power by choosing to think the thoughts that bring you peace, and the “villain” never even needs to know that you have chosen to forgive them.
We can’t control what other people do or say, but we can control if we give them the power to impact our emotions.
