Monday Tip: Forgive someone
There’s a theme on the blog this week: Forgiveness.
This is not something we see often in the workplace. It’s certainly not a practice that we speak off often, teach much in seminars, or ask about in new hires.
But it is still a hugely important strength that some people possess and some don’t. The ability to forgive others, is one of the virtues that lead to a happy life.
And that is why this week’s Monday Tip is to forgive someone at work. I’m sure that at some point, someone has done something that annoyed you, inconvenienced you or made you mad at work.
Forgive’em for that. Right now. I’m not saying you need to forgive everyone who’s ever slighted you for everything they’ve ever done. No, no, just pick one thing that one person has done and then simply forgive him or her for that. Don’t tell them that they’re forgiven - this is not about them it’s about you. Just let it show in your actions and your behavior, that you no longer hold that against them.
Choose one person and one act, and then forgive that person for that act. Once and for all, never to let that particular grudge return. Remember, you can still hang on to all your other grudges.
Then notice how it feels to have forgiven. Then write a comment and tell me about it - I’d really like to know :o)
The Chief Happiness Officer’s Monday tips are simple, easy, fun things you can do to make yourself and others happy at work and get the work-week off to a great start. Something everyone can do in five minutes, tops. When you try it, write a comment here to tell me how it went.
Steve Roesler Said,
April 30, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Alex, this is a meaningful topic and I’m glad to see it. Let’s face it, “Happiness” really isn’t possible while carrying around the burden of a grudge. The weight is just too heavy to experience joy.
I don’t usually do this, but (please forgive me!) here’s a link to a post I did back in December about Forgiveness. Use it anyway you see fit.
http://www.allthingsworkplace.com/2006/12/forgiveness_is_.html
Alexander Said,
April 30, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
You’re forgiven, Steve :o)
That’s some great tips in your post, btw!
Eduardo Said,
May 1, 2007 @ 1:02 am
What most don’t realize, is that forgiveness is not about
the wrong doer, its about you. Here’s some simple steps
to forgiveness…
Truthteller
http://www.reddeerblog.com/2007/02/why-you-really-should-forgive.html
Jason of "Kim & Jason" Said,
May 1, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
I just stumbled upon this quote the other day:
When a deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.
–Alan Paton (1903 - 1988)
Phyllis Said,
September 24, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
I just tried to forgive someone who has kept me angry for about 6 years on and off at work. I feel terrible! I feel like I am the one who has to make concessions all the time.