Forgiving is NOT:

Forgiving is not excusing the offense.  It is not showing that the actions are acceptable.  In fact, it is a confirmation that you do not accept the behavior.  It does not justify the situation and does not mean that you are willing to see it continue.

Forgiving is not forgetting the actions of the people involved but in fact acknowledging that it was wrong but not allowing that to feed into your emotions or your responses.  You are not saying that the actions didn’t matter, you are just saying that you won’t let it block you from your own happiness. 

Forgiving is not a reconciliation because your relationship has changed.  You have no obligation to renew your relationship just because you are forgiving and moving on. 

You are not releasing the offender from the consequences of their actions.  They need to be accountable for whatever occurred. 

Forgiving is not letting someone off the hook for what they have done. 

Michael Meade
Michael Meade

Some call him Professor, some call him Wizard. But Mike just likes to think of himself as a plain guy who happens to have figured out his own special talents, and enjoys using them. He got his gift of intuition from his father, who trained him to use it. His mother gave him empathy, and the abilities to feel. Coming from a science background, he has learned to mingle logic with spiritualism.