Global Q&A: ‘Is there someone in your life you’d like to forgive but haven’t?’

Alina Dobrin, Bucharest Romania. (The Epoch Times)

To totally forgive, coming from one’s inner being, can be a difficult process for some is what Epoch Times reporters from Dubai to Sweden found when they asked locals:

Bucharest, Romania Corina Vlantoiu, 39, Legal Adviser There is no one I have to forgive in my life. I have had only small disputes with some people, but I have sorted all these out. There is nothing so serious that I should not be able to forgive.

Catalonia, Spain Marcelo Poggi, 37, Commerce The truth is that I have always tried to forgive my father’s wife for her despicable attitudes she had toward my wife and my daughter, but still inwardly I feel that I have not. Even though on the surface and in my mind it seems there are no grudges, I feel that inside me I have not overcome this. It turns out to be very difficult for me to forgive from deep in my heart a person who always generated a refusal by her selfish attitude.

New York, USA Scott Gingerich, 37, Restaurant GM Wow, this is a pretty personal question, but I am happy to share because this has made me who I am today. When I was 10 years [old], my parents got a divorce, and my dad left and wasn’t part of my life for probably 10 years. Since then, we have spent much more time together, and the relationship has healed, but I never really forgave him. I never told him, “I forgive you,” and probably should. When I think back, and being a father now myself, and seeing how amazing it is, I couldn’t have imagined missing seeing my kids grow up …

Piracicaba, Brazil Camila Ribeiro, 26, Masters Student Who I'd like to forgive, I have forgiven. I want to get away from these situations that create anger. But I have not forgiven my uncle, because he acted in bad faith with my family in a situation when we were in mourning.

Lund, Sweden Nevena Assenova, 42, Dental Assistant Yes, my ex-husband. I think that I should forgive him and accept that we are different, and tried to still be together today. I think I should have tried more before we divorced—not have given up...

Dubai, Arab United Emirates Nikhita Sudhir, 20, Media Broadcaster Yes, being from the media industry, I did have an encounter in life and have not been able to forgive that person because when a person is active in both ones personal and professional life then it becomes difficult to face situations. However, I’m learning to forgive, as it would help me grow in my field and work better.

Puerto Montt, Chile Miguel Arias, 16, Student Actually no, I do not think that I have to grant forgiveness to anyone, since he has not hurt me, up to this point in my life my conscience is tranquil.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Do you consider pirating software stealing?”

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