Forgiveness- the Key to Unlock Abundance and Joy

There are 86,400 seconds in 24 hours and I trained myself to find joy with ease but that evening, sadness wouldn’t go away. I was really sad, feeling poorly, with no particular reason, not being my usual self. I asked myself: “Who is living rent-free in my mind?” It was a funny question but it also shattered something in my train of thoughts.

Why was I allowing this person and the pain they caused, to occupy so much space within me right now? Why was I allowing them to control my joy, after all these years? It was then I realized that forgiveness wasn’t about them. It was about my choice to remain captive in that memory that had no closure but the door was wide open.

Sometimes, we find yourself trapped within the walls of an invisible cell—a cell whose door has always been wide open. The bars aren’t made of steel, but of fear, pain, or the weight of past regrets. You convince yourself that it’s safer to remain within the confines of this familiar space rather than risk the unknown on the other side.

It’s a strange choice, isn’t it? To willingly stay in a prison of your own making when abundance is just a step away. Yet, there’s a certain comfort in pain that you know well, a certainty in the boundaries that keep you feeling safe, even if it means sacrificing your freedom to be happy.

You tell yourself that you’re not strong enough, that you’re not worthy of freedom, or that the world outside is too frightening. These narratives become the chains that keep you inside your past and forget to remember that you hold the key to break free.

Choosing to remain captive to old wounds is an act of self-preservation, a defense mechanism that shields you from new disappointments or further pain. But over time, the safety of the hurt becomes a heavy weight on your spirit that dims your light and limits your potential.

One day, you might realize that closed your heart. Forgiveness is not about erasing the hurt or forgetting your pain, but about making a choice to release yourself from their hold. It’s about choosing courage over fear and confidence over comfort.

Stepping out of that emotional cell is an act of liberation, a declaration that you are no longer willing to let fear or past wounds confine you. It’s a choice to embrace the unknown, to trust that you are capable of navigating life beyond the walls you’ve built.

Forgiveness is rarely easy, but it begins with one small step. And in that step, you discover that the world outside the cell is far more beautiful, vibrant and full of possibility than you ever imagined. It’s a world where you are free to grow, to love, to heal and to truly live.

That ressentiment may have offered you temporary refuge, but it was never meant to be your home. The door is open. All you need is the courage to walk through.

Forgiveness releases you from the pain you carry, a burden that quietly wears down your physical health, mental well-being and every day joy.
Forgiveness is not about forgetting, nor is it about condoning hurtful memories. It is about releasing the grip that past pain holds over your heart. At its core, forgiveness carries the energy of abundance—a generosity of spirit that frees you from the shackles of old wounds. This act of release isn’t about the other person; it is about your own healing, your own experience of abundance.

It took me a long time to accept the power of forgiveness. It was after years of carrying around a resentment toward someone who had wronged me deeply. Every time I thought of them, I felt a knot tightened in my chest, while my mind was replaying the hurt like a broken record. I was a prisoner of my own bitterness and it was exhausting.

I sat down with a pen and paper, hesitantly writing their name at the top of the page. My hands trembled. I didn’t know where to begin, but I knew I needed to start somewhere. So, I wrote. I wrote down every hurt, every wound, every betrayal. I wrote until my heart was laid bare, with nothing left for the pages before me.

And in that moment, I felt light and free. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my soul. But can you really forgive or do you need to remind yourself that only forgiveness leads you to abundance?

Forgiveness is an energy and it doesn’t always come easily. Sometimes, the hurt runs too deep, the betrayal feels too raw and painful. I realised that forgiving doesn’t mean that the wound never existed. It means that it no longer controls you. It means that you are choosing to let go of the pain, to make space for inner peace.

When you forgive, you are not necessarily inviting someone back into your life. You are simply letting go of the resentment, which is a negative energy that keeps you chained to the past. Allowing yourself to heal you will move on, leaving the past behind, where it belongs.

If you’re unsure of where to begin, start by making a list of those who inflicted suffering in you. Look at each name, the pain they caused you and recognize the power you have to release that pain with a pen stroke. 

Forgive them not because they deserve it, but because they don’t deserve the power to keep you in pain and you deserve the gift of inner peace.

Forgiveness doesn’t come easily. You need to take small steps, one at a time. At times, forgiveness is a daily practice, a decision you must make again and again. But each time you choose forgiveness, you are choosing freedom. You are choosing to clear your soul of old wounds.

Forgiveness is an act of courage that unlocks abundance. It is a declaration that you are no longer willing to let the past dictate your future. It is an invitation to step into the fullness of who you are meant to be, but free, whole and at peace.

We often measure wealth by external factors—money, success, possessions. But true abundance begins within. Inner wealth is the richness of a peaceful mind, the security of emotional stability and the freedom to experience joy without fear.

Studies in positive psychology have repeatedly shown that forgiveness is directly linked to increased well-being. Researchers at the University of California found that forgiving people tend to experience higher levels of optimism, lower levels of depression, and even improved relationships. This is because forgiveness frees up mental and emotional space, allowing us to focus on positive growth rather than past pain.

When you let go of the resentment that makes you feel poorly, you make room for abundance. When you release anger, you make space for love. And when you choose peace, you invite joy into your life. Forgiveness is the highest form of compassion, not just for others, but for ourselves.

The first time I truly forgave, I expected an immediate sense of relief. Instead, it felt uncomfortable, even unnatural. My mind had become so used to carrying resentment that letting it go felt like an identity shift. But then, something remarkable happened.

The old anger didn’t resurface the way it once did. I could think about the past without feeling the familiar sting. I had reclaimed my emotional space. And in that space, joy had room to grow. Forgiveness didn’t change my past, but it changed my future.

I am not alone in this discovery. A global study conducted by the Fetzer Institute found that 62 percent of Americans agreed that they need more forgiveness in their personal lives, and this number increased to 83 percent in their communities, 90 percent in America, and 90 percent in the world. Even in communities affected by extreme conflict—such as war-torn regions—those who have engaged in forgiveness and reconciliation programs report lower levels of PTSD and higher levels of hope for the future.

If you’re holding on to resentment, you are not alone. Many of us carry past wounds, believing that time alone will heal them. But healing is an active process, and forgiveness is the tool that makes it possible.

Here’s where you can start:

• Acknowledge the Hurt – Be honest about how you feel. Suppressing emotions only strengthens their hold on you.
• Shift Your Perspective – Remember that forgiveness is not about excusing harm, but about freeing yourself from its weight.
• Practice Empathy – Even those who hurt us are often acting from their own wounds. Understanding this doesn’t justify their actions, but it helps soften resentment.
• Write a Letter You’ll Never Send – Express everything you need to say, then let it go. Burn it, tear it up, or simply close the notebook.
• Choose Peace Daily – Forgiveness is not always a one-time event. Some wounds require repeated acts of letting go.

Forgiveness is not just an act of kindness—it is an investment in your own well-being. It creates emotional clarity, strengthens relationships and cultivates inner wealth.

Imagine waking up free from the weight of resentment. Imagine experiencing joy without the shadow of past pain. That is the power of forgiveness.

If you find yourself in a place of hurt, remember this: forgiveness isn’t about somebody who wronged you. It’s about you. It’s about reclaiming your power, your joy, your life. When you choose to forgive, you are healing. Forgiveness is your Declaration of Independence. You choose the abundance of freedom. And that is the most powerful choice you can make today.

You have the key to unlock your own abundance. The only question is: are you ready to set yourself free?

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