Forgive for Good

ResultsfromDr.FredLuskin'sStanfordUniversityForgivenessProject,oneofthelargestandmostimportantstudiesonforgivenesseverconducted,showthatlearninghowtoforgiveimprovesouremotionalandphysicalwell-being.Holdingontoresentmentorhurtdisruptsourpersonalandprofessionallives,leadstobaddecision-making,andreleasesstresschemicalsthatcanhaveanegativeeffectonourhealth.Yetalltoomanyofusclutchourgrievancesandgiveawayourpowerbyremainingvictimsofthepeoplewhohavehurtus.Byteachingushowtoforgive,thisbookenablesustomovebeyondbeingavictimtoalifeofimprovedhealthandcontentment.Basedonscientificresearch,thisgroundbreakingstudyfromthefrontiersofpsychologyandmedicineoffersstartlingnewinsightintothehealingpowersofforgiveness.Throughvividexamples(includinghisworkwithvictimsfrombothsidesofNorthernIreland'scivilwar),Dr.FredLuskinoffersaprovennine-stepforgivenessmethod.ParticipantsinStanfordUniversity'sForgivenessProjectexperienced:DecreaseinfeelingsofhurtReductioninthephysicalsymptomsofstress,includingbackache,muscleaches,dizziness,andupsetstomachIncreaseinoptimismReductioninlong-termexperienceofangerasignificantriskfactorforcardiovasculardiseaseForgiveforGooddistillstheessentialelementsofDr.Luskin'sforgivenesstrainingintoanaccessibleguideforovercomingthenegativeeffectsofanger,bitterness,andresentmentbygainingcontrolofourfeelings.Forgivenessdoesnotmeancondoningthebehaviorofthosewhohavehurtus.Forgivenessisachoicethatwemaketoreleaseourpastandhealourpresent.