Hi Sky-- hope you're feeling better today.

I've been thinking about this post and have some things to ponder with you and everyone.
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Forgive: to cease to feel resentment against on account of wrong committed. to give up claim to requital from or retribution upon (because of an offense or wrong)

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So forgiveness relieves one of resentment- from a wrong committed---- however-- it doesn't say- an "intentional" wrong. I believe that forgiveness comes from the heart-- when a person really cares for another or for themself.

To me it's not the question of intent-- it's the fact that someone IS hurt. For example: Say I hurt someone by saying something that causes them mental anguish-- I didn't intend to hurt them-- so does that give me a free ride to continue and never learn from others? Or I could try to understand how they felt and explain that I was coming from a different thought process and ask their forgiveness-- because I care about that person's feeling of pain.

I understand one can not please everyone and there will, at times- be people left behind with hurt feelings. However, I do think that forgiving and asking for forgiveness is all part of any kind of relationship. Just because you ask for forgiveness- doesn't have to mean you were WRONG-- couldn't it also mean that you are saying to the other person " I hear you and care that you are hurting, and I feel bad that you are hurt- for whatever reason- intentional or not " ?

Seems to me being able to ask for forgiveness when the hurt was unintentional is saying " I'm not perfect, I make mistakes too- and unintentional hurt is still hurt- sorry you are hurting- I care". Shouldn't we all be responsible for ourselves when we hurt someone?? Even if it's not intentional?? Are we so great that we should be automatically forgiven when we hurt someone unintentionally- no sharing of compassionate words necessary? I don't know-- sounds kind of " heart-less" to me.

I hope I haven't offended anyone-- that is surely not my intent. This is a very good topic for thought.

Wishing all peace and kindness,
Mandy