by Danson Mwaniki

Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.[1] Forgiveness may be considered simply in terms of the person who forgives, in terms of the person forgiven and/or in terms of the relationship between the forgiver and the person forgiven. In some contexts, forgiveness may be granted without any expectation of compensation, and without any response on the part of the offender (for example, one may forgive a person who is dead). In practical terms, it may be necessary for the offender to offer some form of acknowledgment, apology, and/or restitution, or even just ask for forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe himself able to forgive.

There's no one definition of forgiveness. But in general, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentments and thoughts of revenge. Forgiveness is the act of untying yourself from thoughts and feelings that bind you to the offense committed against you. This can reduce the power these feelings otherwise have over you, so that you can a live freer and happier life in the present. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.

Most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many varying modern day traditions and practices of forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a well known instance of such teaching and practice of forgiveness. Some religious doctrines or philosophies place greater emphasis on the need for humans to find some sort of divine forgiveness for their own shortcomings, others place greater emphasis on the need for humans to practice forgiveness of one another, yet others make little or no distinction between human and/or divine forgiveness.

On February 23, Hillary Clinton aggressively went after Barack Obama, criticizing him for playing similar political games to Karl Rove and at someone points she was bitter and angry saying, 

“Today in the crowd I was given two mailings that Senator Obama’s campaign is sending and I have to express my deep disappointment that he is continuing to send false and discredited mailings with information that is not true to the voters of Ohio. He says one thing in speeches and then he turns around does this,    …Just because Senator Obama chose not to present a universal health care plan does not give him the right to attack me because I did. So let’s have a real campaign. Enough with the speeches and the big rallies and then using tactics that are right out of Karl Rove's playbook, this is wrong and every Democrat should be outraged.” …… “This election is about misleading, false and discredited attacks that interfere with voters being able to make an informed judgment,” 

But after battling for the Democratic Party nomination for more than a year, debating each other nearly two dozen times and trading barbs over healthcare, trade and who was ready to lead the country in uncertain times,  Obama went looking for reconciliation and later the two hit the trail together on Friday June 27th in the small New Hampshire town, chosen both for the symbolism of its name and the fact that the candidates split the votes in the January primary -- winning 107 each.

At this town, Hillary Clinton called on the 36 million Americans who supported her and Barack Obama to join together "to create an unstoppable force for change we can all believe in", echoing the slogan Obama’s winning campaign as the two shared a stage for the first time in months.

It was the first official campaign appearance by the pair since Obama became the party's presumptive nominee. It was a day of healing grace. The pair met at Reagan National Airport in Washington with an embrace, then shared an airplane ride. Obama sat at the window and Clinton on the aisle and they chatted through the flight.  Obama -- who was seeking to become the first African American to win the White House -- praised Clinton's passion and effort to become the nation's first female president.  

"It is fitting that we meet in a place called Unity, because the truth is, that's the only way we can solve the challenges facing this country," Obama said.

"I know that because of our campaign, and because of the campaign waged by Hillary Clinton, my daughters and all of yours will forever know that there is no barrier to who and what they can be in the United States of America," he said. Some 4,000 supporters blanketed a field filled with wildflowers outside Unity Elementary School, surrounding the stage where Obama and Clinton spoke. Supporters waved red and blue "Unite for Change" posters.

Obama looked at the positive side of Clinton and started magnifying it. What do we do as Christians? Don’t we look at the negative sides of our brothers and sisters and start magnifying them.
We should realize that  everyone has or will be hurt by the actions or words of another. Your mother criticized your parenting skills. Your friend gossiped about you. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness and even vengeance.

But when you don't practice forgiveness, you may be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy.