Instilling Forgiveness

Image Credit: Unseen Histories on Unsplash

We have been talking about forgiveness in the workplace for the past several weeks. In wrapping up this series, we turn to someone who preached the importance of treating others with dignity and respect his entire life.

Dr. Martin Luther King aptly summarized the long-term goal of developing a strong forgiveness practice:

"Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.”

It is not about a single event, but bringing a forgiving mindset to your everyday interactions. Keeping this at the forefront creates an openness and acceptance that will make your life more vibrant both at work and at home.

The simple reflection below can be used in conjunction with the other tools we have shared during this series. As you implement this practice, forgiveness becomes second nature and fosters a growth mindset.  Mastering it will enhance your relationships, let more peace into your life and help you navigate difficult relationship crossroads. 

STEP 1: Think about a person or situation that is troubling to you.

STEP 2: Close your eyes, take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. 

This will help you pause and calm your emotions.

STEP 3: Reflect on the following questions. 

• How can I describe the other person’s perspective without adding judgment?

• What was my own role or limits in the situation?

• What are the possibilities for positive change in myself, them or the relationship?

• What action can I take today that can turn those possibilities into a reality?

  
  

This may be a one time reflection that helps you clearly see the entire path forward or it may be a series of reflections that allow you to identify one small step toward resolution at a time. 

You can sit quietly as you reflect on these questions or be more active by journaling the answers. Journaling allows difficult thoughts to be stored on the page rather than swirl in your mind. Writing them down also gives you the opportunity to review your answers later. Many people find that this stimulates new perspectives leading to fresh ideas to achieve resolution.