Today, I learned, is a Ukrainian holiday which in English translates as “Forgiveness Sunday”. It has its roots in orthodox christianity, but I love the idea so much that I’m going to steal it. On this day, you turn to people that you care about and ask for their forgiveness, after which they tell you that they forgive you and that God forgives you.
http://ww1.antiochian.org/node/122724
https://www.goarch.org/cheesefare
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful tools we have for improving mental health. Many people mistakenly believe that forgiveness is an act of charity or of weakness, but in reality it is a secret tool of strong, resilient people. Which makes it hardly surprising that the Ukrainians follow it. Forgiving others give us the strength to move on. The opposite.- holding a grudge - saps our energy and makes us weak. Anger is not a strong emotion, especially not in the long run. It’s hard to be angry; it’s exhausting. It makes us tired and forgetful. Forgiveness releases us, gives us the energy to pursue our own goals and not be trapped by response to the actions of others.
And so, on Forgiveness Sunday, whoever you are reading this, I ask for forgiveness for anything I have done. And I offer you forgiveness in return.
Or, as I learned in the Roman Catholic church: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
