Forgiveness and compassion are empowering values and habits that, contrary to what many people believe, reflect courage and strength instead of weakness.
Forgiveness implies letting go, freeing the inner space that we have occupied with toxic emotions such as anger, resentment, guilt, sadness, or judgments, among others, and giving up our destructive responses or desire for revenge, in the face of those negative emotions that the offense generated in us. of someone.
On the other hand, when we refer to compassion, we remember the Dalai Lama, who defines it as our sense of responsibility or solidarity towards others. Likewise, compassion refers to our ability to understand the suffering, anguish, or lack of hope of other people.
Why is it so important to forgive? The doctor and author Bob Enright of the University of Wisconsin, who has carried out interesting studies on the psychology of forgiveness, draws our attention to the fact that people who live permanently with the memory, rancor, resentment, anger, or hatred towards an event or person from the past, consume more energy and affect their health and well-being.
On the other hand, a study by psychologist Barbara Frederickson of the University of North Carolina revealed that compassionate people have less cellular inflammation. Consequently, they reduce the risk of suffering from serious diseases, such as cancer.
Additionally, numerous scientific studies reveal that developing the habits of forgiving and being compassionate with other people provide important benefits such as:
Better health and immune system.
Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Decreased blood pressure.
Activation of brain areas.
Reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Better sleep quality.
Increased self-esteem, clarity, and resilience.
Better human relations and healthier bonds.
It makes us more altruistic and helps us grow and advance
Liberation, healing, and consciousness of unity with others
Peace, harmony, and well-being.
Finally, studies by psychologist Jonathan Haidt of New York University indicate that witnessing compassionate acts prompts you to imitate them.
So, I invite you to practice forgiveness and compassion, to make them contagious and thus facilitate our personal growth and transformation; improve our health, quality of life, and well-being. Learning to love, forgive, and let it go, without a doubt, are key strategies to move forward.
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