Archive for February, 2017

How would you adjust your forgiveness process for adults when working with children?

February 25, 2017 No comments
We do not expect young children (ages 6-10) to go through a process similar to adults.  Instead, we start with picture books and other children’s stories so that the child begins to understand what forgiveness is in the calm and protection of the story rather than confronting directly injustice in their lives.  As the children begin to understand what inherent (built-in) worth is, along with an understanding of kindness, respect, generosity, and love, then they have a foundation for understanding what forgiveness is.  They then may be in a position of gently trying to forgive those who have been unfair to them for small things (a disagreement with a sibling, for example).

Helpful Forgiveness Hint

February 22, 2017 No comments

We sometimes think that those who hurt us have far more control over us than they actually do. We often measure our happiness or unhappiness by what has happened in the past.

My challenges to you today are these: Your response of forgiveness now to the one who hurt you can set you free from a past influence that has been toxic. Try to measure your happiness by what you will do next (not by what is past). Your next move can be this–to love regardless of what others do to you.

Robert

Dr. Enright’s Blog Post on Psychology Today Raised to “Essential Topic” Status

February 21, 2017 No comments
Editor’s Note: Just a few weeks ago (Dec. 21, 2016), we announced on this website that Dr. Robert Enright, founder of the IFI, had been selected by two of the nation’s premier blog sites (Psychology Today and Thrive Global) to add his forgiveness expertise as a regular robert-enright 3contributor.
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In January, Psychology Today’s editorial staff promoted Dr. Enright’s blog “Why We Need Forgiveness Education” to “Essential Topic” status meaning that it receives prominent placement on their website along with being featured on the first page of blog topics like“Education” and “Therapy.”
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This week, another of Dr. Enright’s essays was selected as essential reading by Psychology Today. Here is the link to that blog: “Forgiveness: 3 Misconceptions.”

My friend started the forgiveness process to be free of inner emotional pain. He has forgiven (at least he says he has forgiven), but he still has inner pain. Does this mean that he has not forgiven?

February 21, 2017 No comments

When we forgive, all of the inner pain is not necessarily eliminated.  Often the pain goes down to a manageable level so that the person can function well in life.  Forgiveness is for imperfect people as the late Lewis Smedes used to say.  Thus, forgiveness can work well but not necessarily lead to perfect results and this does not mean that the forgiveness process was unsuccessful.  Getting emotional relief so that the pain or anger no longer dominates a person is a good outcome.

In Chapter 5 of your book, Forgiveness Is a Choice, you mention six psychological defenses that people typically use to ward off anxiety (denial, suppression, repression, displacement, regression, and identification). Which one is the most destructive, do you think?

February 21, 2017 No comments

Displacement does the most damage because a person’s misery can be spread to many others across a lifetime.  Repression may be the most damaging for the one who was hurt because the insights about what really happened may not easily emerge.  The person treated unjustly may not even be aware of why he or she is so angry.  Without the insight, there may be no forgiveness because there is no motivation to forgive.  After all, if one cannot recall who was hurtful, there will be little progress in being motivated to forgive.

Forgiveness Is a Choice, by Dr. Robert D. Enright