One of two things precedes forgiveness

by CubaGallery on Flickr (click to view original)

"One of two things typically precedes forgiveness: the transgressor’s expression of remorse, or the victim’s embrace of life after damage. The first is self-explanatory, and the direct path to forgiveness: “I believe she’d undo this if she could, and we’re all capable of doing things we regret. The second path is for when the apology doesn’t come and you’re left to your own forgiveness devices. For this, people usually need to feel they gained something — anything — from what happened...."  Carolyn Hax (click to view full advice column)