Interpersonal Forgiveness
What is Interpersonal Forgiveness?
Interpersonal forgiveness is difficult and often misunderstood. Forgiveness is a process that affects our thinking, feelings, and behavior. Choosing to forgive brings release from the hurt and pain of the past, offers freedom and peace in the present, and hope for a better future. Research has found that as people learn and practice interpersonal forgiveness positive changes are experienced in our well-being. Forgiveness strengthens our self-esteem, confidence, and sense of hope, gives meaning and direction in life, and improves our relationships with others at work, in our homes, communities, schools, and churches.
Interpersonal forgiveness is difficult and often misunderstood. Forgiveness is a process that affects our thinking, feelings, and behavior. Choosing to forgive brings release from the hurt and pain of the past, offers freedom and peace in the present, and hope for a better future. Research has found that as people learn and practice interpersonal forgiveness positive changes are experienced in our well-being. Forgiveness strengthens our self-esteem, confidence, and sense of hope, gives meaning and direction in life, and improves our relationships with others at work, in our homes, communities, schools, and churches.
Schedule a Forgiveness Presentation with Dr. Preston VanLoon
Dr. VanLoon is passionate about interpersonal forgiveness and draws upon a vast array of research, experience, educational resources to help his audiences better understand interpersonal forgiveness. He has written and spoken extensively on forgiveness domestically and internationally over the past 25 years. He would be happy to present to your group on the benefits of interpersonal forgiveness.
Presentations on interpersonal forgiveness can be specifically designed for groups of any size in a variety of venues including religious, educational, or occupational settings. Forgiveness education has been used for professional development and continuing education, retreats, conference workshops and seminars, spiritual growth and development.
Those who can benefit from forgiveness training include mental health counselors, nurses, social workers, clergy, teachers, attorneys, parents, couples, and others who deal with interpersonal conflict either professionally or personally and desire to move on with healing and hope.
Presentations allow participants the opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of interpersonal forgiveness in a supportive and caring environment while considering the benefits and strategies involved with using interpersonal forgiveness as a positive choice to effectively cope with the hurt and pain associated with interpersonal hardship.
Dr. VanLoon is able to provide forgiveness presentations in a variety of contexts and for various organizations and groups.
Presentations on interpersonal forgiveness can be specifically designed for groups of any size in a variety of venues including religious, educational, or occupational settings. Forgiveness education has been used for professional development and continuing education, retreats, conference workshops and seminars, spiritual growth and development.
Those who can benefit from forgiveness training include mental health counselors, nurses, social workers, clergy, teachers, attorneys, parents, couples, and others who deal with interpersonal conflict either professionally or personally and desire to move on with healing and hope.
Presentations allow participants the opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of interpersonal forgiveness in a supportive and caring environment while considering the benefits and strategies involved with using interpersonal forgiveness as a positive choice to effectively cope with the hurt and pain associated with interpersonal hardship.
Dr. VanLoon is able to provide forgiveness presentations in a variety of contexts and for various organizations and groups.
Quotes from Previous Forgiveness Presentation Participants
"Heightened my awareness of forgiveness as an issue needing addressing."
"Made me take a good look at myself."
"Touched lives in many areas."
"Made me think seriously about offenses I have experienced and how I have dealt with them."
"Reminded me of all the hard work I have done and how it continues to define my life."
"I can see already a place where I can put it to use in a situation in my congregation."
"It helped me rediscover what forgiveness means."
"Heightened my awareness of forgiveness as an issue needing addressing."
"Made me take a good look at myself."
"Touched lives in many areas."
"Made me think seriously about offenses I have experienced and how I have dealt with them."
"Reminded me of all the hard work I have done and how it continues to define my life."
"I can see already a place where I can put it to use in a situation in my congregation."
"It helped me rediscover what forgiveness means."
Presentation Topics
- What is interpersonal forgiveness?
- Why forgive?
- What are some reasons people do not forgive?
- How will interpersonal forgiveness help me where I work?
- Are there health benefits of interpersonal forgiveness?
- How does interpersonal forgiveness relate to my faith?
- What impact does interpersonal forgiveness have on my thinking, feeling, and actions?
- What are some common myths and misconceptions of interpersonal forgiveness?
- How do I forgive?
- How does interpersonal forgiveness relate to moral development?
- Is there a relationship between interpersonal forgiveness and justice, mercy, and grace?
- What is the process of forgiveness?
- What are some good interpersonal forgiveness resources?
Quotes on Forgiveness
“Without forgiveness there is no future… When something is unforgiven, it has physical consequences for us. Unforgiven tension, unforgiven sin, actually has a deleterious impact on the person.”
Desmond Tutu, Exploring Forgiveness
“If you cannot free people from their wrongs and see them as the needy people they are, then you enslave yourself to your own painful past. By fastening yourself to the past, you let your hate become your future.”
Lewis Smedes, Forgive and Forget
"If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive." Mother Teresa
"The weak can never forgive, it is the attribute of the strong." Mahatma Gandhi
"Most people think that granting forgiveness is simply a blank check to allow the offender back into their lives simply to trample on their heart again. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Doug Schmidt, The Prayer of Revenge
“There is a time to tear and a time to mend.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15
"When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet, if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reasons and arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding." Thich Nhat Hahn
“Without forgiveness there is no future… When something is unforgiven, it has physical consequences for us. Unforgiven tension, unforgiven sin, actually has a deleterious impact on the person.”
Desmond Tutu, Exploring Forgiveness
“If you cannot free people from their wrongs and see them as the needy people they are, then you enslave yourself to your own painful past. By fastening yourself to the past, you let your hate become your future.”
Lewis Smedes, Forgive and Forget
"If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive." Mother Teresa
"The weak can never forgive, it is the attribute of the strong." Mahatma Gandhi
"Most people think that granting forgiveness is simply a blank check to allow the offender back into their lives simply to trample on their heart again. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Doug Schmidt, The Prayer of Revenge
“There is a time to tear and a time to mend.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15
"When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet, if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reasons and arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding." Thich Nhat Hahn