Character in Action…Thank you Owasso businesses and other organizations for your support! #OwassoCharacter (fb)

This month’s character trait is Forgiveness, which is defined as clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge. Forgiveness does not eliminate past offenses, but it does make it possible to move forward by first fully acknowledging the reality of an offense. Bad things happen, and it is often impossible to erase those memories or the consequences of that negative actions. Our anger will not change the past or heal the hurt. Anger is healthy and natural at first, but, once reality has been faced, we must consciously release the anger, accept the loss or hurt, and require no personal repayment. Our offenders may never comprehend the hurt they have caused, or they may not care. By remaining angry at them, we only prolong our own suffering. True forgiveness requires that we release our offenders from the personal obligation to understand or suffer for an offense. (fb)