Dr. Fred Luskin holds a PhD in counselling and health psychology from Stanford University, where he is the cofounder and director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project. He’s a pioneer in the burgeoning forgiveness field, and it appears he’s onto something. Study after study has found that forgiving is good for the body as well as the soul.

Luskin describes the concepts of forgiveness as simple – It’s its execution that we seem to find difficult.

I’d describe the concept of forgiveness as necessary. It’s what keeps our love flowing, our hearts racing and our inner peace intact. We’re only human after all. And anything that is good for the body as well as the soul sounds like a winner to me.

He goes on to say that forgiveness can, in fact, lower blood pressure and heart rate and reduce levels of depression, anxiety, and anger. People who forgive generally have more and better relationships with others, feel happier and more hopeful, and score higher on just about every measure of psychological well-being.

That being said, it isn’t easy. Getting past hurt, betrayal, disloyalty can have a serious impact on your metal well-being in both a personal and professional capacity. Luskin believes that forgiveness is a ‘trainable’ skill that is innate in all of us…Here’s hoping.

Some ‘mistakes’ can be seen as ‘bigger’ than others. It could be the misplaced apostrophe, the ‘I didn’t know you were expecting’ comment to a woman in work or the betrayal of trust by a loved one. If a relationship means enough to you, you’ll forgive. It’s about the understanding and empathy of another being. About love and courage. Are you strong enough to move and focus on the bigger picture? On your future? On your life?

Luskin says that forgiveness is about you and no one else. In its outcome, yes. But in order to reap its benefits then to start you must start to think about how and why people do the things they do. It doesn’t mean that you have to give in; on the contrary. Whether you’re feeling let down, grieving, mouring, or self deprecating, the only way to overcome those feelings is to ultimately realise what makes you really happy. The more that we realise that holding on to the past, negative experiences in particular, without forgiveness, can result in a bitter and resentful mind set, the better. Think about what is right for you in the long term. Is falling out with someone really worth it?

Isn’t life too short?

Of course, it’s also about having the strength, respect and humility to accept other people’s decisions regarding forgiveness. As hard as it may seem, isn’t it worth it in the long run?

You only live once. Sorry, I mean #YOLO

To find out more about Dr. Luskin and his studies on forgiveness visit: http://www.learningtoforgive.com