Victor Hugo once said, "Forgiveness is the sweetest word in the language of humanity." If a colleague, a friend, or a family member apologizes to you, accept it right away. However, forgiving—especially when you’ve been misunderstood or treated very unfairly—is not always easy. Forgiveness is a declaration that resentment and anger have come to an end. "To hold on to anger toward someone is like poisoning your own heart. Every time you recall the injustice done to you, you send more poison to your heart." (Nelton, 1995).

Forgiveness also has a liberating effect on your energy and creativity. The following story highlights how important a virtue forgiveness truly is:

One day, a high school teacher made an offer to his students during class: "Would you like to take part in a life experiment?" The students eagerly accepted their beloved teacher’s offer without hesitation. "In that case," said the teacher, "promise me that you will do whatever I ask from now on." The students agreed to this as well. "Now, prepare for tomorrow’s assignment. Tomorrow, each of you will bring a plastic bag and five kilos of potatoes!"

The students didn’t really understand the purpose of this task. However, the next morning, each of them had potatoes and bags ready on their desks. Looking at his curious students, the teacher said, "Now, for each person you’ve refused to forgive until today, take a potato, write that person’s name on it, and place it in the bag." While some students put three or five potatoes into their bags, others’ bags were almost completely full.

The teacher, noticing the students looking at him as if to ask, "So, what happens now?" gave his second instruction: "For one week, wherever you go, you will carry these bags with you. In your bed, on the bus, on your desk at school—they will always be by your side." A week passed. As soon as the teacher entered the classroom, the students who had followed his instructions began to complain: “Teacher, carrying such a heavy bag everywhere is very difficult."

"Teacher, the potatoes have started to smell. Honestly, people are starting to give me strange looks."

"We’re both bored and tired."

The teacher smiled and gave his students this lesson: "As you can see, by not forgiving, we are actually punishing ourselves. We condemn ourselves to carry heavy burdens in our hearts. We think of forgiveness as a favor to the other person, but in reality, forgiveness is a kindness we do for ourselves first and foremost."

Prof.Dr. Abdurrahman Tanriogen