(photo: Al Shahed Press, 2025) My spiritual director was a priest in his elder years who had "seen it all, done it all." During one of our meetings, he commented, "I have heard confessions - thousands of them, maybe more, who knows how many? In all of that time what I saw was that I … Continue reading Perfectionism Works Better with Self-Forgiveness
recovery
Your Empathy Makes Your Forgiveness
(photo: Čeština, Mikhail Gorbunov, 2012) There are two scientifically validated forgiveness processes, and empathy of the forgiver toward the person being forgiven is the key in both of them. One forgiveness process is the REACH Forgiveness Process developed by Everett Worthington, and the other is Guideposts for Forgiving developed by Robert Enright. In both processes, … Continue reading Your Empathy Makes Your Forgiveness
Acceptance and Self-Forgiveness: Keys to Personal Growth After Trauma
(art: Le Bal Bullier, Sonia Delaunay, 1913) Research continues to confirm the important role of forgiveness and forgiveness processes for persons recovering from traumatic experiences, and for personal growth after traumatic experiences (post-traumatic growth, or "PTG"). In a recent article published in Spirituality in Clinical Practice, researcher Margaret Poandl and colleagues (2025) at Virginia Commonwealth … Continue reading Acceptance and Self-Forgiveness: Keys to Personal Growth After Trauma
Recognizing Hidden Anger is Step #1 in Forgiveness
(art: Hope, George Frederick Watts, 1886) Anger is a normal and temporarily helpful response to a hurtful event. As an emotion, anger can help us summon the energy to protect ourselves in a situation, or to hastily remove ourselves from a situation even if it means needing a burst of exertion to get past barriers. … Continue reading Recognizing Hidden Anger is Step #1 in Forgiveness
Forgiveness Multiplies Forgiveness
(photo: Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) There is a prodigious deer population here in our little corner of the oak savanna in Central Minnesota, maybe because of our proximity to Dunes State Forest and Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. It seems that they appreciate the network of walking trails through the woods and frequently use … Continue reading Forgiveness Multiplies Forgiveness
A New Paradigm of Love for Understanding Human Flourishing & Forgiveness
(photo: Tom Delaney. Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The heat of the days is giving way to coolness, and the hours of sunlight have declined. All living things are now drawn into a time of taking their rest. Everywhere you can see the wisdom of Jesus' words in the Gospel of John (12:24): Amen, amen, I … Continue reading A New Paradigm of Love for Understanding Human Flourishing & Forgiveness
Resurrection Saves from Sadness & Despair
(art: Resurrection, woodcut print, 15th century C.E.) In his General Audience today, Pope Leo XIV explored the topic of personal sadness and explained how the resurrection of Jesus Christ can give us a hope that replaces despair. The pope's address is part of the the cycle of catechesis that will continue throughout the entire Jubilee … Continue reading Resurrection Saves from Sadness & Despair
Moral Distress & Moral Injury in Forgiveness
(photo: Скорбящая Mать, Sergey Cherny, 2012) Forgiveness models and processes often involve moral distress and moral injury a person has experienced, including in practicing a forgiveness process in small groups and guided retreats. Having good definitions of moral distress and moral injury and an understanding of their relationship can improve the quality of forgiveness processes … Continue reading Moral Distress & Moral Injury in Forgiveness
Can forgiving be harmful?
(photo: Hartmann Linga, 2025) Forgiveness researcher Robert Enright has published a new piece in Psychology Today examining questions and criticisms focused on whether forgiveness can be harmful. Enwright developed the Guideposts for Forgiving framework and process that is integrated in Live and Forgive presentations, guided retreats, small group series and wilderness walks. In the article, … Continue reading Can forgiving be harmful?
Divine Forgiveness: From Faith to Science and Back Again
(photo: Vatican Media, September 24, 2025) Pope Leo XIV addressed the topic of divine redemption today in his general audience. Divine redemption is an important concept and principle linked to divine forgiveness - i.e. forgiveness of our transgressions by God. Divine forgiveness is an important topic within forgiveness research because many people in general are … Continue reading Divine Forgiveness: From Faith to Science and Back Again
Live and Forgive 