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pjdas1012's review against another edition
5.0
“I would like to share with you two simple truths: there is nothing that cannot be forgiven, and there is no one undeserving of forgiveness.”
Forgiveness is a difficult trait for me to master. I find myself holding grudges towards someone making a snide comment or looking at me funny. There are also moments where I feel that a person has wronged me in more serious ways, and those grudges are even harder to free myself of. These emotions have done me no favors, and I would do well to let them go. But that is much easier said than done. In this book, Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho instruct how to forgive and how to be forgiven.
I know that I will refer back to this book when I find myself in dark times. With clarity and powerful anecdotes, the authors delineate what you must do in order to forgive someone in a way that makes sense and is easy to implement. There are tangible steps that one can take to forgive, and the authors lay out those steps in a way that is grounded and understandable. I would not call this book religious at all, but it does have moments of spirituality. These include poems and mindfulness exercises that people can use to help them forgive. None of these resonated with me, but others might find them useful. The core content of this book, though, is down to earth and never once do the authors take a holier than thou attitude (an attitude which Desmond Tutu of all people would have every right to take). I value this book because it gives me the in-the-moment thoughts and actions I must take to forgive, and also gives me answers as to why and how I must forgive. I consider this book life-changing because it can directly act on me to make me a better person.
Overall, we need to forgive for our own peace more so than for anyone else. If you find yourself in a place where you have anything from deeply ingrained grudges to severe trauma, this book might help you.
Forgiveness is a difficult trait for me to master. I find myself holding grudges towards someone making a snide comment or looking at me funny. There are also moments where I feel that a person has wronged me in more serious ways, and those grudges are even harder to free myself of. These emotions have done me no favors, and I would do well to let them go. But that is much easier said than done. In this book, Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho instruct how to forgive and how to be forgiven.
I know that I will refer back to this book when I find myself in dark times. With clarity and powerful anecdotes, the authors delineate what you must do in order to forgive someone in a way that makes sense and is easy to implement. There are tangible steps that one can take to forgive, and the authors lay out those steps in a way that is grounded and understandable. I would not call this book religious at all, but it does have moments of spirituality. These include poems and mindfulness exercises that people can use to help them forgive. None of these resonated with me, but others might find them useful. The core content of this book, though, is down to earth and never once do the authors take a holier than thou attitude (an attitude which Desmond Tutu of all people would have every right to take). I value this book because it gives me the in-the-moment thoughts and actions I must take to forgive, and also gives me answers as to why and how I must forgive. I consider this book life-changing because it can directly act on me to make me a better person.
Overall, we need to forgive for our own peace more so than for anyone else. If you find yourself in a place where you have anything from deeply ingrained grudges to severe trauma, this book might help you.
annemariewellswriter's review
5.0
This was a very helpful book. I learned that forgiving doesn't mean you have to keep someone in your life and pretend like they never hurt you. You can forgive someone and choose to release the relationship instead of renewing it. And having that click is life-changing for me. I can forgive someone - as in I don't wish harm on them, and the hurt they caused me no longer makes me seethe with anger and resentment - but that doesn't mean I need to be willing to have them in my life as a friend or acquaintance. And that realization and that "permission" was very healing for me.
melanna's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I don’t feel i have anything big I need to forgive someone about and work through with this book. Not do I think I have caused a huge harm for which I need to be forgiven so I was reading this without much context for application. But it would be a book I will recommend for anyone who is stuck in the pain of a huge hurt whether they are the offended or offender.
avery_rivers's review against another edition
5.0
I just finished reading this book for the third time and still can't recommend it enough. There is so much wisdom in these pages, and so many truths to unpack and learn that I find that with each read, I am different and am able to accept some ideas and steps more openly.
booksrockcal's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This is an amazing book by Archbishop Tutu, leader of the reconciliation commission in South Africa. When apartheid ended everyone thought South Africa would become a bloodbath. It didn’t for many reasons but some important ones are related to the work of Archbishop Tutu on forgiveness. In South Africa’s case it was a national need for forgiveness. For every person in any phase of life there is a similar need for forgiveness. Tutu outlines four steps necessary to get to forgiveness. They include recognizing the need to forgive, telling the story, forgiving and asking forgiveness, and reconciliation. The stories woven in here about people forgiving in unimaginable situations in which their children or spouses have been killed enforce and enhance Archibishop Tutu’s points about forgiveness.
lneff514's review
5.0
So good. Foundational and vital concepts around forgiveness. So relevant to our divisive culture.
Should be required reading for anyone who is human. :)
Should be required reading for anyone who is human. :)
daniellebeverly's review
5.0
There is so much wisdom, grace, and healing within the pages of this book! Whether you need to forgive yourself or someone who has hurt you, I highly recommend this book to help you walk the path to a forgiving heart.