Practicing Forgiveness On Pardon Day

Pardon Day can be seen as a day when people can embrace reflection and forgiveness in their daily lives. Celebrated on September 8, it can give people the chance to slow down, reflect, and forgive themselves and others. This can encourage the release of potentially harmful emotions like resentment and foster healing and emotional well-being. If you find forgiveness challenging, it may be helpful to work with a licensed therapist.

Why we celebrate Pardon Day

Pardon Day was primarily created to foster the act of forgiveness and reconciliation among individuals and communities. The word “pardon” generally refers to the action of being forgiven or forgiving another. In the past, ancient civilizations are thought to have practiced forgiveness rituals to restore harmony and resolve conflicts within their communities. Over time, Pardon Day has become an internationally recognized day for individuals to reflect on past grievances and extend forgiveness to themselves and others.

Pardon Day can be significant because it tends to promote social cohesion and growth for entire communities. The impact of a single act of forgiveness can extend beyond the person practicing forgiveness, since both forgiving and being forgiven can positively impact mental health. 

International Pardon Day also recognizes forgiveness as a way to enrich the lives of yourself and others. During an act of forgiveness, individuals may acknowledge and move past the mistakes or wrongdoings of other people, potentially releasing themselves from negative emotions like resentment and anger. This can foster healing and reconciliation within communities, work environments, and personal relationships. National Pardon Day can offer a chance to recognize the power of forgiveness in promoting empathy, understanding, and compassion in society.

Real-life examples of forgiveness

Forgiveness is often a powerful action that can impact individuals and communities. There have been many demonstrations of forgiveness throughout history.

Mitsuo Fuchida

One noteworthy example of forgiveness involves Japanese fighter pilot Mitsuo Fuchida after World War II. Mitsuo led the first wave of attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, taking the lives of innocent victims. In retaliation, the U.S. conducted strategic military operations, otherwise known as WWII bombing campaigns, which culminated in the dropping of atomic bombs over Japan. After the war, Mitsuo reflected on his own wrongdoings and decided to seek forgiveness for his actions. 

After reconciling with American war veterans, he became a missionary, where he traveled throughout the world preaching forgiveness. After forgiveness touched Mitsuo’s life, he was able to show that people may recover from serious misdeeds by embracing forgiveness for themselves. Whether or not others accepted Mitsuo’s apology, forgiveness for himself can be said to have given him the freedom to move forward. 

Watergate

The Watergate scandal can serve as an example of forgiveness on a national scale. The Watergate affair was a political scandal that took place in the United States during the 1970s, when former President Nixon was caught performing illegal activities. 

Despite the betrayal and misconduct surrounding the scandal, the succeeding President Gerald Ford chose to publicly forgive Nixon for his actions. Since the nation experienced social and political unrest after the scandal, giving pardon did not support President Gerald Ford’s campaign, but after some time, it may have enabled the entire nation to move forward and forgive Nixon’s actions. 

Later, Nixon apologized and took responsibility for his actions. Gerald Ford’s decision to embrace forgiveness beyond his own political agenda may have helped to dispel unrest, contributing to unity and stability for the country. 

Pope John Paul II

Another great display of compassion and forgiveness may be when Pope John Paul II forgave his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca, after he made an attempt on the Pope’s life in 1981. Even though the Pope experienced severe injuries, the pope visited Agca in prison to offer him forgiveness on a personal level. This compassionate act may have highlighted the value the Pope placed on forgiveness and showed his commitment to bringing this quality forth in Catholicism.

Health benefits of forgiveness

Forgiveness can have a positive effect on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health, impacting areas like interpersonal relationships, life satisfaction, and physical well-being. Research shows that forgiveness can promote positive aging, potentially improving overall physical well-being. 

By embracing forgiveness throughout life, people can bring about a sense of vitality and energy. Especially for older adults, embracing forgiveness can help them alleviate interpersonal stress, possibly improving relationships and contributing to overall mental, emotional, and physical health. 

The COVID-19 pandemic may have highlighted the importance of taking care of interpersonal relationships for improved health and well-being. Research shows that high-quality relationships were generally beneficial for overall mental health during the pandemic. Forgiveness is often a part of high-quality relationships. 

In addition, forgiveness is often linked to relationship satisfaction, so couples can embrace this quality to enrich their lives together.

Practicing reflection and forgiveness

Reflection can help you identify grievances, enhancing your awareness of various life situations so that you can practice forgiveness. When you reflect on a past grievance, whether by discussing it with a trusted friend, writing in a journal, or spending time alone to contemplate the situation, you can gain insight and explore different perspectives. 

This mindset shift may enable you to understand the underlying emotions and motivations involved, potentially fostering empathy and understanding. Additionally, reflection may empower you to acknowledge your own role in the situation, possibly leaving room for forgiveness and reconciliation. 

Here are some suggestions for integrating forgiveness practices into your daily life.

• Journal: Setting aside time for journaling can be a great way to reflect on the past events of the day. This can help you gain clarity regarding why certain events have upset you and enable you to explore others’ sides of the story. By using your writing to see other people’s perspectives, you can develop insight, compassion, and empathy, which can all be conducive to forgiveness.
• Offer gifts of forgiveness: You might take the time to pick out a heartfelt gift to show your forgiveness for another person. For example, you could brighten your home with a bouquet of flowers to offer yourself forgiveness or buy someone a coffee and offer them a smile after they apologize to you.
• Reach out: If a lost friendship or relationship is weighing on your mind, you might consider taking some positive action. Offering forgiveness can ease tension and build compassion in your life. Conversely, by apologizing and forgiving yourself for a past wrongdoing, you can move forward with dignity.
• Reflect on past experiences: You can reflect on experiences that hurt your feelings as a child or created negative feelings toward people like parents or teachers. For example, if your coach yelled at you for being dangerous as a child, you may note that they just wanted you to be safe. Reflecting on other perspectives and forgiving others for actions that hurt your feelings at the time can be a powerful step toward healing.

Therapy for forgiveness

A licensed therapist can help you further understand and embrace the concept of forgiveness. While many people enjoy connecting with mental health professionals in person, this may not always be a convenient or accessible option. For those with busy schedules or who lack sufficient mental health care options in their local area, online therapy can be a valid alternative. 

Research generally supports the efficacy of online therapy, and studies suggest that it can produce the same client outcomes as its in-office counterpart. Both options can be excellent choices for anyone who wishes to practice forgiveness or address any other mental health concerns.