Ask Dr. Forgiveness
What is the difference between what some people call “emotional forgiveness” and “decisional forgiveness”?
The essence of forgiveness includes a decision to proceed with the process of forgiveness, and then working on softened feelings toward the offending person, expanded cognitions in which the forgiver sees the inherent worth of the offending person, and behaviors that are not harmful toward this person. So, there is no “emotional forgiveness” and “decisional forgiveness” because both are incorporated in the whole of forgiveness.
How do I heal from my emotional wounds caused by my mother?
Here is a link to an essay I posted on the Psychology Today website about forgiving for what I called a “mother wound”:
Can you provide me with one example of a person forgiving another for “unforgivable” acts or severe trauma?
You might want to view the film, Forgiving Dr. Mengele, in which Eva Mozes Kor describes her forgiving of the Nazis who imprisoned her and her twin sister, who died from the immoral medical experiments at the Auschwitz concentration camp.
How do I go about forgiving someone who refuses to apologize? It is so difficult.
Think about it this way: The one who was unfair has hurt your heart. That hurt can linger for a long time if you do not address it. Forgiving has been shown scientifically to reduce excessive anger, anxiety, and depression. So, why let the other person win twice, once with the injustice and now by planting a persistent hurt in your heart? Forgive and set yourself free. Here is an essay I posted on the Psychology Today website addressing this issue of apology:
I kind of like the idea of forgiveness, but I am a bit ambivalent about it. Can you provide some written material for me so that I can make a more informed decision?
Here is a link to an essay I posted on the Psychology Today website regarding this issue of deciding if you are ready to forgive:
