Forgive and Forget?
Why do we continue to push the narrative that forgiveness is the key to happiness? Although forgiveness is often established as a crucial step toward achieving inner peace, it isn't necessary for happiness and well-being. Depending on the offense's severity and the offender's lack of remorse, holding onto negative emotions and choosing not to forgive can be a viable alternative that promotes personal well-being and empowerment for individuals. In Elie Wiesel's memoir Night, Elie focuses on the obstacles and challenges he faces while being persecuted during the Holocaust. The Holocaust was a dark period in human history where millions of innocent lives were lost in the most horrendous ways imaginable. Unsurprisingly, the concept of
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Positive emotions like happiness, contentment, and joy help us develop stability and optimism, deepen social connections, and encourage a sense of purpose and meaning in life. They can give us the motivation and energy to achieve our goals, pursue our passions, and help us navigate difficult situations more quickly and confidently. Negative emotions like anger, sadness, and fear are vital. They can help us identify areas of our lives that need attention or change and motivate us to take action. Studies have shown that individuals who can acknowledge and process negative emotions in healthy and constructive ways experience greater psychological well-being and resilience. Taking time away from forgiveness can deepen our understanding of the world, giving us perspective on our challenges. Tori Rodriguez, Author of the article "Negative Emotions are Key to Well-Being," says, "Attempting to suppress thoughts can backfire and even diminish our sense of contentment." Here, author Rodriguez suggests that forgiveness can cause us to hide our negative emotions and only focus on the good instead of letting ourselves truly accept the