Although it’s a common misconception, forgiveness is not something we do for the sake of others. It’s a gift we give ourselves.

Forgiveness is often misunderstood. People think that forgiving someone means excusing their behavior or letting them off the hook. But real forgiveness isn’t about the other person. It’s about releasing yourself from the emotional burden that comes with holding onto resentment, anger, or pain.

When you hold onto a grudge, it stays alive in your mind and body. You may feel it as tension in your chest, a pit in your stomach, or recurring thoughts that replay past events over and over. These emotional loops can keep you stuck, mentally and physically. They cloud your judgment, drain your energy, and limit your ability to be fully present in your life.

Forgiveness is how you take your power back.

In hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), we often work with clients who carry emotional wounds from the past—sometimes going back years or even decades. These unresolved emotions can lead to patterns of self-sabotage, anxiety, depression, and physical stress.

One of the most powerful tools we use is guiding clients through a process of letting go—letting go of old stories, letting go of hurt, and ultimately, letting go of blame. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget. It means you’re ready to stop letting the past control your present.

In hypnosis, the subconscious mind becomes more open to positive change. This makes it easier to access the root of emotional pain and shift the internal meaning attached to it. When you shift the meaning, you shift the feeling. Through NLP techniques, we can help the mind reframe experiences and replace emotional triggers with understanding, peace, or even strength.

One powerful example is Timeline Therapy®, which helps clients revisit earlier memories in a safe and guided way. Clients often discover that when they release anger or sadness tied to a past event, they immediately feel lighter—more at peace, more present. That is the power of forgiveness in action.

Forgiveness is not weakness. It’s not giving in. It’s choosing freedom over suffering.

Ask yourself: What are you holding onto that no longer serves you? Who do you need to forgive—maybe even yourself?

When you forgive, you stop reliving the hurt. You stop letting old emotions write your story. And you create space for peace, clarity, and joy to return.

So… who will you forgive today?

Jayne Goldman, MBA, C.Ht., is the Founder and Principal of Best Life Hypnotherapy in Los Angeles. She specializes in helping clients release emotional baggage and reclaim inner peace through hypnotherapy, NLP coaching, and Time Line Therapy®. Her work empowers people to let go of the past and move forward with confidence and clarity.