...William Kennedy delves into the concept of forgiveness in the forms of both giving and receiving. He does this through the story of Francis Phelan, a homeless man living on the streets of Albany. Kennedy follows the journey of Francis as he embarks on his quest of expiation and attempts to square-up with all that he has cowered from over the past twenty two years. Despite his blessings of uncanny forgiveness from his wife Annie, his sons Gerald and Billy, his daughter Peg, and his life partner Helen, Francis...
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...Forgiveness Forgiving someone who you believe has done wrong to you is a very difficult thing to do. Some people live their entire lives unwilling and unable to forgive someone else and carrying this burden on their shoulder all through their lives. For some, a grudge rakes place when you focus on the bad things that you think has happened to you. For others, a grudge is silent and you think you’re over it, but then you discover you still haven’t forgiven the other person. The only person being hurt by you not being able to forgive is YOU. Often, the other person doesn’t even realize you have these bad feelings because, they think everything is okay between the two of you. With that being said forgiving someone is hard but, if you do things between you and that person would become much better. Forgiveness is the key to life. It is very important to forgive someone no matter what they have done to you in the past. If you haven’t forgiven someone they tend to be on your mind a lot or either the situation that may have took place. Many people go on with their lives knowing that they haven’t forgiven someone and the guilt tends to eat them alive. You would also feel even terrible if the person whom you haven’t forgave passes away. The most important thing is too forgive once you forgive you will be able to finally move forward in your own life. You’ll feel as though a huge weight and burden has been lifted off of your shoulders. While forgiveness may not always be easy, it is...
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...story about what he has done to Jews, the people he’s killed, and his mother. They later have a unique connection with each other. Although, when he’s done telling his story, he asks Wiesenthal for forgiveness and ends up passing away. Wiesenthal remains silent, but later questions himself about his experience whether or not he should have accepted his apology. If I were in his situation, I would have not remained silent and forgave the Nazi soldier because he was not promoting any action of hate, rather than forgiveness, my moral values, and my own experiences. A writer that does not reflect my point of view is Herbert Marcuse. Marcuse states that Wiesenthal should not have forgiven the soldier because it perpetuates the crime. I do not agree with his view completely because in this case, the entire government was promoting evil and majority of people were brainwashed. Also Karl was a growing up child and comprehended the propaganda from a very early age. He was not trying to promote any type of war, but rather forgiveness. For example, when he had asked for forgiveness, Wiesenthal had second thoughts after he had remained silent. “Had a doctor entered the room with a miracle drug that would have restored this young man to full vigor, would he have remained weighed down with guilt? And had the German Army then offered him whatever was the Nazi equivalent to a Purple Heart for bravery in battle would he have scorned the award?” (Wiesenthal 94). Karl knew the only way for him...
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...the solid earth, everything grows very quiet. All look at the lumberjack, who killed this tree, and find him weeping in sorrow. This situation is not uncommon when dealing with Nature. Nature, as simple as it seems to some, generates great power. This power is sent to us, as nature forgives only after a physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" helps implement all these teachings together. In current times, this power continues to teach us of forgiveness. With physical suffering, the power of nature shows us forgiveness many ways. In the story, the mariner betrays nature: "I shot the Albatross!" This action against nature is rather extreme, for he takes lightly to this thought of death. The Albatross, as a representative of nature, means nothing to the Mariner. These thoughts are quickly changed, though, as Nature begins to start the penance leading towards forgiveness - "Water, water, everywhere nor any drop to drink." When "the mariner begins to find his salvation when he begins to look on the 'slimy things' as creatures of strange beauty" (Fraser 203), he understands the Albatross was a symbol of nature and he realized what he had done wrong. The mariner is forgiven after sufficient penance - "We could not speak" - is performed by Nature. Nature shows us more strength as we realize that people of today often can not forgive someone who has shot...
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...Abstract The nature of forgiveness is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. After experiencing organizational damage, trauma, or injustice, one challenge facing leaders is to help the organization heal, restore positive energy, and enhance resiliency. Fostering forgiveness is one effective mechanism for achieving those outcomes. This paper illustrates how justice and forgiveness was analyzed within my workforce and implications established to eliminate the issue from reoccurring. Primary focus will be on interpreting the problem from the perspective of self-responsibility. Keywords: workplace, justice, forgiveness, self-responsibility, accountability, ownership. Justice and Forgiveness in the Workplace Socialization and positive chemistry amongst individuals of any given company is desired yet not always attained. Having a work environment in where most individuals get along not only makes it a suitable environment to work in but also an enjoyable one to be a part of. However, in order to portray such healthy environment one must first analyze the individuals that make up such environment and ask are they here for the betterment of the company or are they just here for a paycheck? This paper discusses the importance of self-responsibility and exemplifies the power of justice and forgiveness. Issue at Hand Within the past, couple months my company had been going through many unforeseen changes. Due to the unsolicited changes, employees’ morale and spirits had...
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...Self-Forgiveness: The Stepchild of Forgiveness Research CUON506-B13 September 25, 2011 Self-Forgiveness: The Stepchild of Forgiveness Research is an article that focuses on the importance of comparing and contrasting interpersonal forgiveness as well as intrapersonal forgiveness. Not only does this article emphasizes the definitions and classifications of self-forgiveness, but also identifies the emotional and social cognitive determents, the limitations and implications self-forgiveness may trigger. Julie Hall and Frank Fincham composed this article with great detail and research to analyze the importance of self-forgiveness and examining the conventional issues that must be directed when considering the suitability of self-forgiveness. This article evaluates the components of self-forgiveness through a model that outlines its implications through research. Guilt, shame, attributions, conciliatory behavior, perceived forgiveness from victim or higher power, and severities of the offense are some of the many processes that constitute self-forgiveness. These processes causes the offender or the offended to account to more positive reprimands and fewer ongoing negative reprimands of the transgression than do offenders who have not forgiven themselves. Hall and Fincham explain that three levels of self-forgiveness and self-respect must ensue to involve restoration. First, self-forgiveness requires an objective fault or wrongdoing; second, negative feelings triggered...
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...ENABLING FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION IN FAMILY THERAPY Interpersonal conflicts are almost inevitable within families. The closeness and intensity of family relationships along with differences among family members in knowledge, desires, values, abilities, etc., account for much of this turmoil. Family members are often deeply hurt in the course of their conflicts and sometimes there is a significant breach of trust, Occasionally a family member will consider a certain offence unforgivable and will not seek reconciliation. Usually, however, family members try to recover a sense of personal and relationship wellbeing by endeavoring to forgive and reconcile. This can be a long and arduous process. Therapists are often consulted to facilitate such healing. My purpose in writing this paper is to share my understanding of some of the complexities involved. The perspective that I adopt is a social constructionist or ‘bringforthist’ stance. I assume that through caring conversation, it. is possible to bring forth preferred ways of thinking and interacting that can lead to forgiveness and reconciliation. MUTUAL HURTS The duration and effects of any particular conflict between family members depends on how differences are managed in the nuances of ongoing family interaction: Conflicts vary from brief disagreements that are hardly noticeable, to extremely destructive emotional and physical battles that last for years. During any major episode of conflict, all parties involved tend...
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...Forgiveness is a necessary part of human existence, although it is hard to forgive others, and sometimes harder to give to ourselves. The Kite Runner is full of examples of forgiveness between people, with themselves. Baba forgives Hassan, Hassan forgives easily, and Amir is unable to forgive himself but throughout the book the readers saw the travel of Amir how he forgive himself. The opening sentence sets this theme with "I became what I am today at the age of twelve," as Amir relates how he believes one action at that young age defined his entire life. However, as the novel progresses, the reader comes to the conclusion that it was not one action, but a series of choices and events that created Amir's persona as an adult. By holding onto his guilt and fear of discovery, Amir could only bury his past for short periods of time before his own conscience uncovered it and the emotional baggage attached. Throughout the course of Amir's life, he made choices based on jealousy, fear, and guilt, and thus allowed his life to be immersed in regret and shame until he finally allowed himself redemption. Baba first demonstrates forgiveness when he pardons Hassan for stealing Amir's money and watch (even though Hassan didn't actually steal it). Baba is unaware that Amir was only framing Hassan for stealing his money and watch. Baba asks, "Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?" Hassan responded, "Yes." By Hassan taking the blame of stealing Amir's belongings, he...
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...Forgiveness is a necessary part of human existence, although it is rarely easy to give, and sometimes even harder to give ourselves. Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner demonstrates the struggles of seeking forgiveness for past mistakes and granting forgiveness to others for theirs. Although many characters seek forgiveness, only Baba, Rahim Khan and Amir find the closure they are looking for. Baba spends his entire life seeking forgiveness for his past transgressions. He uses his connections with his community as a way to clear his guilty conscience: “I think that everything he did, feeding the poor, giving money to friends in need, it was all a way of redeeming himself” (Hosseini 316). Everything that Baba does for Kabul and its citizens, in a way, is contradictory. He does good, helping those who need to be helped, but for reasons that are entirely selfish. He hates himself for the mistakes he once made and he thinks that by being successful and by supporting those in need, he can make himself feel better, maybe even forget what he has done. Baba makes people believe he is a good man, because if everyone else believes it, then he can too. Rahim Khan says that true redemption is “when guilt leads to good” (316), so Baba is successful in redeeming himself but continues to struggle on his search for true forgiveness. Baba, who believes that theft is the only sin, steals the identity of his second son, Hassan. Baba never forgives himself for this, but he seeks forgiveness from...
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...say in the Creed " I believe in the forgiveness of sins." I had been saying it for several years before I asked myself why it was in the Creed. At first sight it seems hardly worth putting in. "If one is a Christian," I thought " of course one believes in the forgiveness of sins. It goes without saying." But the people who compiled the Creed apparently thought that this was a part of our belief which we needed to be reminded of every time we went to church. And I have begun to see that, as far as I am concerned, they were right. To believe in the forgiveness of sins is not so easy as I thought. Real belief in it is the sort of thing that easily slips away if we don't keep on polishing it up. We believe that God forgives us our sins; but also that He will not do so unless we forgive other people their sins against us. There is no doubt about the second part of this statement. It is in the Lord's Prayer, it was emphatically stated by our Lord. If you don't forgive you will not be forgiven. No exceptions to it. He doesn't say that we are to forgive other people's sins, provided they are not too frightful, or provided there are extenuating circumstances, or anything of that sort. We are to forgive them all, however spiteful, however mean, however often they are repeated. If we don't we shall be forgiven none of our own. Now it seems to me that we often make a mistake both about God's forgiveness of our sins and about the forgiveness we are told to offer to other people's...
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...The power of forgiveness In order for people to be happy and content, they must have inner peace. Lack of inner peace results in emotional disturbance, fear, anxiety, distrust and a life filled with restlessness and uncertainty. In order for people to be forgiven, they must first learn to forgive themselves. Self- forgiveness removes any obstacles caused by self- criticism and in return provides love, inner peace and happiness. Forgiving oneself does not erase past experiences, it just creates new ways to remember them. The memories from the past can be transformed into hope in the future. The bible makes no mention as to what Jesus looks like. In the movie Bella, Jose’s character bears a striking resemblance to many modern-day images of Jesus. He is an ordinary looking man; tall and lean with long flowing dark hair and beard, and wears a chef's jacket that favors a shroud. What is so remarkable about his character is his attitude and demeanor. He is non-judgmental, compassionate, empathic and understanding to Nina’s situation. At no point did he offer her any advice when she made the decision to have an abortion. Instead, he was supportive and lent her a shoulder to cry on. Because of his character, Nina could be able to trust again which in turn led to her giving birth to her daughter. Helping Nina was an act of atonement for Jose. For the past four years, he has struggled with the guilt of accidentally causing the death to a child. It is evident that he is remorseful...
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...Research Source I Lazare, A. "Go Ahead, Say You're Sorry" The first source states that a genuine apology is very important interaction between relationships. Apologies does not represent a weak and bad character but it represent strength and a good character. An apology a small precious skill that needs to be learned properly and taught among our children. This powerful skill of apologizing right can restore damaged relationships between two people, groups and among different nations across the world. An apology that was delivered, but not delivered property to the other person will strain the relationships to where they cannot be repaired and will create a life-long bitterness. A successful apology can heal humiliation and generate forgiveness. Four basic reasons to motivate an apology: 1. Restore a relationship. 2. Have empathic reason to apologize. 3. Escape punishment. 4. Relieve a guilty conscience. These four basic guideline basically describe restoring a civil relationship in any relationship whether with an intimate partner, a co-worker, or with a friend. The empathic reason is because the apologizer regrets that they have hurt someone and then presents an apology to end the victim's pain. Apologizing to escape punishment is when a criminal apologizes to the victim in exchange...
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...Revenge, Forgiveness and Reconciliation The Tempest has the theme of revenge and reconciliation is seen largely in the character of Prospero. In the title, The Tempest is both literal and metaphorical. Shakespeare begins the play with a fierce storm which wrecks the courtier’s ship. I think the storm symbolizes “the tempest of life” (for example the struggle of life) around which the play is based. Prospero is a dynamic character in this play who exhibits the motions of motivation and forgiveness. Forgiveness is the hardest thing to do when someone has done something awful to you and then to reconcile with the person is harder while you want revenge. Prospero will show us how these themes are used to interpret as I explain in detail next. Prospero is the ousted Duke of Milan who has been living in exile on a remote island for the past twelve years. He is also a powerful magician, father of Miranda, master of Ariel and Caliban, and a guy who really likes his books. Twelve years earlier, he found refuge on this island after his younger brother, Antonio, seized Prospero's title and property. Prospero functions as a god on the island, manipulating everyone within his reach. He is helpless against his enemies until they appear on a ship nearby; but when they are close enough, he can use his magic to create a storm and bring them under his control; and this is what makes me think revenge is being taken place. Prospero's magic is the white magic of nature...
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...Lily’s childhood leaves her with fierce independence and determination, but also guilt and desire for maternal love that drive her thoughts and actions as she grows closer to the Boatwright sisters, develops in character, and thrives in her newfound life. Throughout the course of the second half of the Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, it becomes apparent that Lily is maturing. Lily struggles with accepting herself and her past during the greater part of the book. However, by the end, not only has she forgiven herself and others, she has learned from her experiences. Apart from experiencing her first romantic relationship, Lily has grown up and learned to exercise forgiveness towards herself and others—most prominently her...
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...with her. This aunt showed the opposite kind of love, accepting, supporting and nonjudgmental. She saw the positive sides to Jane’s qualities and admired her for them. Jane was fond of her aunt but the relationship was not very regular because of distance. She was not a significant influence in Jane’s early life. As Jane grew older she learned that her father might actually be wrong. She also realized that her father was scared of being wrong. This gave her a sense of power over him, a redress of the unfair balance of power she experienced as a young girl. As she reaches adulthood she learns that she can use guilt and fear to make her father give her what she wants. He can’t hit her any more but he can now use money to keep her love. Jane then meets a man and marries. After the first three years her husband hits her for challenging him. He feels guilty and begs forgiveness. Jane forgives him and he takes her out to buy some new clothes. She can choose whatever she likes. They agree to have a child and she falls pregnant. Clare, S. (2000). Releasing your child's potential: Empower your child to set and reach their own goals. London: Oxford How To Books. Retrieved June 1, 2008, from NetLibrary...
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