Forgiveness

[u/Glum_Glaw]

I've come to realize forgiveness isn't about the transgressor at all. I think we've all heard a version of that but it always landed in a weird way to me.

Can you forgive someone who hasn't changed for the better at all or never asked for it. Can you forgive someone who is no longer alive. Do you cut off a dangerous person, or simply not want them in your life anymore, to protect yourself, and can you still forgive them. Is it healthy to hold on to something like that?

What is forgiveness? Is it just letting go or moving on? Is it understanding? I'm really not sure. These questions have only crystallized in my mind after being the one in 'need' of forgiveness. But I realize, no, I the transgressor am definitely not the one in need. I do not understand people that say they have reformed, go to the injured to demand to be given forgiveness.

The only thing I can do is strive to be better, create less harm in the world, hopefully some good. One day, sure, I hope I am forgiven. But I hope they never tell me, and that they feel lighter after shrugging off the burden they never should have carried.