Grace St. Clair from the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams educates children on natural habitats at the Warsaw Community Public Library. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Public Library.

By Melissa Chapman
Cataloging Supervisor
Warsaw Community Public Library

WARSAW — We don’t need to be told that holding on to anger is bad for us — that is why Global Forgiveness Day, celebrated on July 7 each year, is a special observance. Established to increase the goodwill among people, Global Forgiveness Day asks everyone to try and set their differences aside and create a world full of healing and letting go of negativity.

The Christian Embassy of Christ’s Ambassadors founded National Forgiveness Day in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. They hung a single banner proclaiming this day in downtown Victoria. As the day gained prominence throughout the world, it was renamed Global Forgiveness Day.

Some interesting facts about forgiveness: Brain scans show that emotion centers of the brain light up when a person considers forgiving someone. Extroverts need more forgiving? It’s not because they hurt people more, but needing forgiveness is just in their nature, more so than introverts. Forgiving people become ill less. The study by the University of Wisconsin showed forgiving people suffered less from certain illnesses.

Did you know that cats aren’t the forgiving type? Scientists say many animals are capable of forgiveness; cats do not exhibit any such behavior.

How can we observe this day? Forgive the ones who hurt you. Take a moment. Think about someone you are angry at or those you cannot forgive (it might even be yourself). Then decide to let go of the anger weighing you down and forgive, or at least take steps toward extending them your forgiveness. Lead by example and teach forgiveness. Forgiveness is good for the soul. Let others see how freeing forgiving someone can be. Show everyone, especially children, that forgiveness is a quality to develop and hone in themselves and others. Your example of forgiveness can inspire others to do the same. Have a forgiveness-themed movie night. The silver screen has been a great source of movies with redemption themes and forgiveness woven into the story line. Take inspiration from this and set up a themed movie night that primes you to do the same — forgive — in real life.

Holding on to anger sometimes blocks us from the truth. Maybe it is finally time to forgive. Maybe we are ready for it. Having a special day focused on forgiveness may help us get to this point, or make us realize that we are already there. Letting go of old anger and emotions is like a spring cleaning of the soul. We dust off the negative and make space for new and better emotions. We are all for this brand-new fresh start, whatever it may be about.