This famous saying has never lost its power to move people, no matter how many times it has been said. But let's face it: saying sorry, whether in words or actions, has never been easy, especially when the person receiving the apology doesn't deserve it.
As we get ready to forgive, there's always a voice inside us that says we shouldn't and gives us a million reasons why the other person should be the one to forgive. So, how do we get past the thoughts that only make us angry?
Some of the answers to that question may be found in the following best books on forgiveness and letting go.
Don't Feel Stuck! by Jaclyn Johnston
The title speaks for itself. We must let go of everything that stands in the way of accomplishing our life goals and realizing our full potential.
As you may already be aware, our reluctance to forgive can prevent us from moving forward for the rest of our lives. These concerns increase our awareness of the unfair treatment we have received. We spend a lot of time wondering what would have happened if we hadn't initially been offended.
Jaclyn Johnson claims in her book Don't Feel Stuck that dwelling on the past is the same as depriving your soul of the joy it deserves. By letting go of all your constricting thoughts and creating a set of beliefs and ways of thinking that are soul-empowering, this book is among the best books on forgiveness and letting go that teaches you how to forgive yourself.
The Book of Ho’oponopono by Luc Bodin
The fastest way to make peace with ourselves and the world is to forgive. That way, we can have the peace we wouldn't be able to have if we let our anger fester.
In this book, Luc Bodin explains how forgiveness and healing are seen in Hawaiian culture. As you let go of self-limiting thoughts, the book will teach you how to get rid of a heavy heart and welcome what's important for your progress.
The book is written in a step-by-step format, so you can read it as you follow each step.
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, David L. Weaver-Zercher
After the terrible shooting at the Pennsylvania Schoolhouse, everyone thought the Amish would respond with the same or more force. Well, everyone else except for the Amish.
The world was waiting with bated breath to see if the Amish would try everything to get justice for the victims. However, it turned out that they had something completely different in mind to put an end to the situation.
In this book, the co-authors look at the Amish's religious background and try to figure out if their quick forgiveness was based on their religious beliefs.
This book is among the best books on forgiveness and letting go that tries to figure out what forgiveness means to people who live in a closed society.
Free of Charge by Miroslav Volf
Even though the words "give" and "forgive" sound alike, the two ideas don't usually go together. When you're upset about a wrong done to you, the last thing you'd think of doing is being kind to someone else.
But Miroslav Volf, the author of this book, gives an interesting take on what it means to forgive. Volf tries to look at the close connections between giving and forgiving and how Christians can use both ideas in a society that tends to hate and be self-centered.
The book looks at forgiveness from a Christian perspective and discusses several other good Christian ideas. You can get a copy and find out why the Archbishop of Canterbury chose Free of Charge as his Lenten study book in 2006.
Judgment Detox by Gabby Bernstein
Most of the time, judgment and forgiveness go hand in hand. How easy it is for you to forgive depends on how quickly you can stop judging yourself and others. Judgment Detox is a detailed book showing how we can forgive others if we stop being judgmental.
Among the best books on forgiveness and letting go, this book talks about self-forgiveness, a part of forgiveness that many people don't like to discuss. Gabby Bernstein thinks that the best way to forgive others is to start by forgiving yourself. And you can only do that when you stop blaming yourself for your sad situation.
Searching for God in the Garbage By Author Bracha Goetz
This book's title provokes thought. Does God reside in the garbage? He is unable, though. But if you look closely enough, you might be able to find God in the garbage. Bracha Goetz attempts to convey how difficult it is to seek happiness in situations that don't make sense.
When you've been hurt, you may try to change your environment and forget about the person who hurt you, among other short-term solutions.
But in Searching for God in the Garbage, Goetz says that if you want true forgiveness, you must be patient and keep trying. According to the author, if we put a lot of effort into the things that make it simple for us to forgive, we can discover a life full of love and joy.
Grow with Empathy by Rashmi Ashok
14-year-old Since she was a little girl, Lea has been taught to be kind, compassionate, empathetic, and honest. What happens, though, when she finds herself in a situation that makes her question these values?
When Lea sees an accident involving a girl who doesn't look like her, she does something that sets off a chain of events that shakes her life.
Will Lea get over her unconscious prejudices about people from other cultures and ethnicities, or will the way her parents raised her to be for nothing?
Grow With Empathy by Rashmi Ashok is among the best books on forgiveness and letting go that shows empathy's importance and what happens when people don't care about others. With characters that kids and teens can relate to and a sad but believable plot, this fiction work is a great way for kids and teens to learn how their actions and unconscious ideas about other people can hurt them.
Final Verdict
Above are some of the best books on forgiveness and letting go that teaches you that forgiveness is among the best ways to demonstrate love and kindness. And forgiveness isn't for the person who did wrong. So, expecting them to take responsibility for their mistakes will only make your pain last longer.
Why not decide right now to forgive everyone who has hurt you deeply?