The document discusses the importance of forgiveness, citing various quotes and research findings that highlight its benefits, such as improved emotional and physical health, career success, and interpersonal relationships. Dr. Robert Enright's four stages of forgiveness—uncovering, decision, work, and outcome—are outlined, emphasizing the need for active involvement and the courage required to forgive. The document also stresses that forgiveness is a crucial aspect of personal rehabilitation and social harmony.

1. Reconciliation- based Discipline “ To err is human; to ______, divine.” - Alexander Pope forgive

2. Humans do not have natural enemies except perhaps, themselves. So, what is the best response when we make an enemy?

3. “ When a deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.” -Alan Paton, author of Cry, The Beloved Country

4. “ Without forgiveness, there is no future.” -Desmond Tutu Who really suffers when we refuse to forgive someone?

5. “… the weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.” -Mahatma Gandhi

6. “ The practice of forgiveness is never easy, because it is always a courageous, defiant act against our instincts of hatred and revenge and against the odds of getting hurt again. If to err is human, to forgive is super-human. It takes Herculean efforts and divine help to be able to embrace an enemy who may yet stick another knife into our hearts. But that is the risk we have to take if we want to experience the healing power of forgiveness and halt the danger of escalating revenge and terror.” – Dr. Paul T. P. Wong, President, Intl. Network on Personal Meaning

7. Introducing... Dr. Robert Enright, the “father” of forgiveness studies

8. Prior to 1970, there were only 110 studies done on forgiveness, dating back to 400 AD. Dr. Enright has guided over 100 forgiveness-based studies over the past 3 decades, despite the scientific community initially dismissing forgiveness studies as “soft science.” To date, almost 1,000 forgiveness-based studies have been published between 1970 and 2008, with hundreds more being developed/conducted. Did You Know?

9. Enright's 4 Stages of Forgiveness 1. Uncovering 2. Decision 3. Work 4. Outcome/Deepening

10. 1. Uncovering Stage: Gaining awareness of one’s emotional pain from a deep, unjust injury Characteristic feelings of anger or even hatred may be present

11. 2. Decision Stage: Realization that continual focus on the injury will cause unnecessary damage Recognition that a change must occur if healing is to take place Forgiveness is considered as an option, and a commitment to forgive takes hold

12. 3. Work Stage: Active forgiveness of the injurer occurs, willingly relinquishing one’s justifiable right to remain upset Acknowledgment and acceptance of the pain resulting from the injury Without justifying injury, empathy/compassion for injurer often experienced

13. 4. Outcome/Deepening Phase: Realization that emotional relief is gained by forgiving injurer Meaning/insight may be gained through ordeal The Forgiveness Paradox is revealed: “As we give the gift of forgiveness to another, we are also healed”

14. “ The rehab is painful; that, in essence, is what we’re doing when we’re forgiving. We’re trying to rehab our heart.” -Dr. Robert Enright Forgiveness is emotional rehab.

15. Just a few of the groups proved by Dr. Enright to greatly benefit from forgiveness training: Emotionally and verbally abused spouses Adults who were victims of sexual abuse as children Victims of discrimination due to: gender, age, socioeconomic status, religion, or race All groups gained significantly in the following areas: Self-esteem Self-efficacy Peacefulness Less anxiety Less depression Less hypertension

16. “ After all, a person is a person, no matter how small.” -Dr. Seuss

17. Is reconciliation instinctive? 41% of chimps pursue reconciliation within 10 minutes of a conflict with another chimp.

18. Can forgiveness improve career success? Salesmen trained in self-forgiveness and resisting anger due to rejection by potential customers have been found to be 25% more successful in attracting and retaining clients and 23% less stressed than colleagues without such training.

19. Can forgiveness strengthen marriages? The #1 reason for divorce, cited by both genders, is poor communication. When couples undergo forgiveness training, the effect size is… +.68 for marital satisfaction +.26 for marital communication.

20. Can forgiveness curtail bullying? A Northern Ireland study found that 82% of kids believe it can. A 12% decrease in bullying was seen over a 5-year period.

21. Can forgiveness improve physical health? YES! Improved cortisol levels! Less lower back pain! Less anxiety! Less sweaty? Hurray! Less heart disease!

22. Faster spinal cord healing! Less depression! Can forgiveness improve physical health? Lower blood pressure!

23. What other benefits of forgiveness have been researched? Hopefulness Self-confidence Quality of Life Interpersonal Relations

24. A Stanford University forgiveness study found that people who had suffered catastrophic family loss were able to cut two key indicators by more than half (on a scale of 1-10): Malice for injurer dropped from 8.9 to 3.2; Severity of Pain decreased from 8.6 to 3.4.

25. Key distinctions Active vs. Passive Involvement of Offended When simply told, “I’m sorry,” by the offender, the offended person’s only choice is whether or not to listen. When asked for forgiveness, the offended person is actively invited to choose whether or not to pursue reconciliation.

26. What is said The attitude of the heart

27. Key distinctions Accidental vs. Intentional Harm

28. Proper Responses: Accident = “I’m sorry.”

29. Proper Responses: Intentional harm = “Will you forgive me for…?”

31. Kids imitate adults, so let’s be good role models of forgiveness. Here's how...

32. When offended, a mature response is to … Be gracious. Preserve others’ dignity. Avoid humiliating others. Listen. Be honest. If you are not ready to forgive, don’t fake it. Respond promptly if unable to do so immediately, so as to not make them wait uncomfortably for a reply. Grant forgiveness so that you don’t become a slave to bitterness.

33. Ground Rules Nobody can be forced, only encouraged, to request forgiveness. Requesting forgiveness does not necessarily excuse the offender from a suitable consequence. The offender should say, “Will you forgive me for…?” and explicitly state the offense(s). The offender may not offer any rationale for the offense(s) [ex: “I’m sorry that I punched you, but…”]. The offender may not devalue an offense while apologizing (ex: “I’m sorry that you thought I was mean to you”). The offended party must respond immediately by either: granting forgiveness, denying it, or indicating when the offender can anticipate a reply (ex: “I’m still upset, but I’ll reply by lunchtime”).

34. Why should I ask for forgiveness? It is uncomfortable to make yourself vulnerable to someone whom you recently offended, but if you do… You will experience relief, even if forgiveness is denied because you will have done what you can to make the situation right again. You will have acted courageously. You will have maturely taken responsibility for your error and shown respect to the person whom you offended.

35. Citations: Non-copyrighted images taken from www.images.google.com Quotations taken from www.quotationspage.com

38. The Action Research Plan notes will be provided to all. If you would like a copy of this slide show, it will gladly be provided upon request, including a version that it recommended for showing to students, if desired.