A virtue to practise

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is choosing to let go of anger about something that hurt you, so you can move on.

What forgiveness means

Forgiving someone does not mean what they did was okay, and it doesn't mean you have to forget. It means you stop carrying the hurt around and stop trying to get even. If someone keeps hurting you, forgiving them doesn't mean staying quiet: tell a trusted adult. Forgiveness includes yourself too. Everyone makes mistakes, and you can learn from yours without punishing yourself forever.

How to practise forgiveness

1. When someone says sorry, accept it, and try not to bring it up again later.
2. Think of a small grudge you are holding, and decide to let it go today.
3. When you make a mistake, say what you learnt from it, then move on.
4. Give someone a fresh start instead of expecting the worst from them.

Want a new virtue to practise each morning? Start with Virtue of the Day.