The Unique Struggle of Forgiving Yourself

Many of us either overlook our shortcomings or believe they are all that we are

Having some time apart can make it easier to forgive someone, but we don't have this option with ourselves. Marjan Apostolovic/Shutterstock

Forgiveness is the release of resentment in exchange for compassion.  It is a highly regarded pursuit in some religions, and research shows that it can improve our mental and physical health.

But the benefits don’t come easy. Just try genuinely loving your enemies and praying for your persecutors. When resentment is tied to pain and disappointment, releasing it can seem impossible.