Creative Thinking applied to...
The philosophy of forgiveness and accountability often involves an exploration of both concepts beyond what would be considered traditional definitions and to consider a new perspective to what has to be one of the most deeply personal and socially relevant issues in contemporary society.
The traditional view of forgiveness is one of an external event whereby people wait for an apology, to see signs of genuine regret or remorse, before offering their forgiveness to the wrongdoer.
I prefer to reframe the perspective to one of an internal act of self-healing and empowerment. By offering forgiveness you can achieve emotional healing and release any anger or hate more quickly. Forgiveness in this context allows you to be free of the wrongdoers actions, you are now on the road to self-recovery.
It is true this approach can feel conflicted because it requires you to acknowledge a profound injustice while also asking yourself to let go of the negative feelings and any bitterness towards the wrongdoer.
My belief is that by applying a creative thinking approach to forgiveness the person wronged can move beyond past hurt and create personal growth which is often an impossible achievement for those who hold on to resentment and hate.
It is not unheard of for a person’s inability to let go of the past, in some cases holding on for decades, to finally explode and cause harm to the one person or people who have always been there for them and had their back. You should never underestimate the destructive power of holding on to the past and to encounter someone who does is a definite ‘red flag’.
While I would always encourage forgiveness to release negative emotions and to enrich your future, this does not mean you should ignore accountability.
Accountability is an external demand for the wrongdoer to face the consequences of their actions and to make amends for the harm they have caused.
Forgiveness is about feelings of the heart while accountability is about the person who hurt you making practical steps to right their wrongs. If the two can be achieved together then I believe it restores trust and creates harmony and peace for all involved.
BW, T.
