Forgiveness is not about the person who hurt you. Forgiving them doesn't mean giving them permission to continue hurting you. Forgiveness is setting yourself free from the enormous burden anger becomes. Forgiveness (to me anyway) is saying, I accept that you hurt me, and I can never change that, but I refuse to live in bondage, I don't want to be consumed by your actions or by my anger. I am moving forward toward healing...
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And yes, I applied it to my abuser (brother) so I know it is possible, and it's a very freeing experience indeed.
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Take care