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Even though these words were written a while ago, due to recent events throughout the world, these words seem more relevant and appropriate today… at least to me. It also seems that if any “solutions” to the “problems” we all face are possible; forgiveness, compassion, kindness and a shared sense of humanity will prove much more valuable than any force, weapons or military strength one might possess. I would be interested in any comments on this article.

Another person will only try to hurt you when they are feeling badly about themselves, or otherwise threatened, not so different from the rest of the animal kingdom with whom we share this Earth.

 If one can believe all humans act only in ways they believe benefit themselves, forgiveness is easy. True forgiveness, or forgiveness that once again gives back the ability and power to an individual to control their own thoughts and actions without sacrificing any control to another for a perceived transgression against oneself, relies solely on the acceptance that all human beings are living the best lives they believe possible. If this statement can be understood and accepted, it is possible that the idea of forgiveness will actually not even be necessary. As an individual, you will understand that others are simply doing what they believe is best for themselves at any given moment, and it is solely up to you to interpret how you perceive these actions. In other words, if another tries to purposefully hurt you, they take this action because they believe it will benefit themselves. You will also realize that another individual can only cause you harm if you choose to allow them to cause you harm.  If it is true that others can not cause you harm, there is no need to forgive any of their actions.

As human beings, we are all fragile and susceptible to our own personal insecurities and character flaws. Because of these insecurities and character flaws, every one of us will judge ourselves as failing at some aspect or many aspects of life at many different moments throughout our lives. Although there are many different and varied reasons that we choose to try and harm another human, this feeling of inadequacy is the most prevalent and pervasive. When we feel inferior and inadequate as human beings, we will often seek out opportunities to rid ourselves of this feeling. The most common and ill-fated method to deal with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy is to attack another, in order to bring them down to our own level of insecurity or to build ourselves up to a false and fleeting sense of superiority.

Each of us, as individual human beings, attack another because we believe it will improve our own lives in some way. Even though the intent of one’s actions may be to cause harm to another human being, the driving force behind any action is to improve one’s own life. “Improve” being a concept that must be considered very liberally. For example, if we are feeling badly, and we can make another feel as badly, many of us might consider this an “improvement”. “Misery loves company” sort of thinking. In many circumstances, “improvement” should not be equated with correct or good or right.

People do what they believe is best for themselves. Sometimes what we believe is best for ourselves involves trying to harm another. However, as mentioned before, each of us can only be harmed by another if we allow ourselves to be harmed. If we can not be harmed by another, the need for forgiveness is negligible.

However, all of us will be harmed. Forgiveness is necessary. Even though all of us will be harmed, others are not trying to harm us, at least directly. Every action every human takes is an effort to “improve” their own life.  If you can understand and accept this premise as true, forgiveness of another’s actions should be simple and automatic. If you are harmed, it is only by your interpretation and acceptance of these actions as “harmful”. With a little understanding, another’s actions can be interpreted and accepted many different ways, and forgiveness will always be possible.