Forgiveness. It’s a pretty simple word on the surface. Three syllables. 11 letters. It’s definitely a noun and it’s probably got some cool Latin origin behind it. But forgiveness is a concept that has taken me a long while to come to terms with, and believe me, I haven’t truly tackled it in its entirety. And I may never accomplish such a feat. However, forgiveness is something that is always on my mind. How do I go about getting it and giving it? Does it resemble a magical spell that your loved ones cast on you when they are ready, and poof! you are back in their good graces? Though that would be cool and would make for a far more intriguing article, I don’t think it’s quite as supernatural as some spell from "Harry Potter" or "Hocus Pocus." What I can say is that to forgive and to be forgiven are two occurrences that seem like mini miracles to me.

Everyone is unique. Everyone has their own way of dealing with anger, feelings of betrayal, or sadness. So naturally, the forgiveness process is different for everyone. As far as I go, I am always eager to move past anything standing in the way of being on good terms with people. I like to minimize any and all tension that exists between myself and anyone who has hurt my feelings because I believe that it is easier to love than to hate, just as it’s easier to smile than it is to frown (supposedly).

For the most part, being hasty to forgive is a pretty amazing thing. Holding a grudge wears me out, and I’m almost certain it causes wrinkles, for those of you who are trying to keep the worry lines away. Forgiveness, for me, is something that I feel, just as much as it is something I vocalize, over and over again if I have to. To truly let bygones be bygones is to feel that built-up hurting tension leave your mind, heart, and soul, and when all of those painful feelings leave your psyche, it feels like freedom. Though reminders of that nagging ache certainly still exist, either in your memory, in your surroundings, or in parts of your friendships, to forgive is to accept that what happened did happen but what happiness, love, and understanding exists within your relationship outweighs the unkindness and hurt.

To be forgiven is to receive another chance, to illustrate your true self to those you love, and to experience the nearly miraculous nature of human compassion. I have messed up more times than I can count and will mess up countless more times in the future. Fortunately for me, the people in my life — my family, my friends, and my peers in general (thank goodness!) — seem to go about forgiveness in a pretty wonderful way, whichever way that is.

All people are works in progress. All of us are just doing our best but constantly in need of that second chance. Alexander Pope wrote: “To err is human, to forgive, divine,” and, oh my goodness, was he spot on. I am eternally grateful for that simple three-syllable, 11-letter word. Forgiveness.