“Forgiveness is setting a prisoner free… that prisoner can be you.”

I recently heard this simple yet profound statement which encapsulates a truth that is often difficult to grasp, it truly resonates with me in my lives experience; forgiveness is not about condoning someone else's actions, it's about releasing yourself from the chains that bind you to the pain they caused you. It's about reclaiming your power and moving forward with grace and strength.

For many years, I struggled with forgiveness. Like countless others, I faced people who tried to hold me back, doubted my abilities, or even went out of their way to create barriers in my path. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, where I was often the only woman in the room; these obstacles were more than just career hurdles. They were personal attacks that made me question my self worth and capabilities.

At times, it felt easier to hold onto the anger and resentment. After all, these emotions gave me a sense of purpose, a fire in my belly that kept me going. But as I progressed in my journey, I realized that holding onto those feelings was like clutching a hot coal and the only person getting burned was me. The energy I spent resenting others was draining me, and the negativity was stifling my growth.

Forgiveness, I recently discovered, is not a weakness. It is an act of courage. It requires facing the hurt head-on, acknowledging it, and then choosing to let it go. When I began to practice forgiveness, I found that it wasn’t about them—it was about me. It was about freeing myself from the burden of what others thought or said about me and focusing on what *I* wanted to achieve.

Forgiving those who doubted me was one thing, but perhaps the hardest part was forgiving myself. There were moments when the fear of failure, the fear of letting others down, and the overwhelming weight of expectations made me feel less than capable. I allowed those doubts to seep into my spirit, to make me feel small and unworthy of the opportunities and challenges before me.

But the truth is, we all stumble. We all have moments where we question our abilities, and that's okay. Forgiving ourselves is about recognizing that we are human, that perfection is an illusion, and that the fear of failure is just a stepping stone on the path to success. It is about showing ourselves the same compassion we would offer a dear friend—because we, too, deserve kindness.

Through this process of self-forgiveness, I have learned to view my past with a different lens. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, I have began to see them as lessons. Instead of resenting those who tried to diminish my light, I have began to thank them—for in their attempts to hold me back, they inadvertently pushed me forward. Their barriers became my challenges, and my challenges became my triumphs.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the hurt that others have caused. It means deciding that you will not let that hurt dictate your future. It is about taking back control of your narrative and writing the story that you want to live.

If there is one message I hope to impart, it is this: don’t let resentment, anger, or regret be the chains that hold you back. Choose to forgive—not for them, but for you. Free yourself from the prison of past hurts, and step boldly into the life you are meant to lead.

In my recent experience, forgiveness has been a powerful force in transforming my life. It has allowed me to create change, not only in my personal journey but also in the lives of those I support and mentor. It has shown me that we all have the power to rise above adversity, to find peace in the face of struggle, and to forge a path forward with resilience and grace.

So, set yourself free. Forgive those who tried to hold you back. Forgive yourself for the times you doubted your own strength. Embrace the limitless possibilities that come with letting go, and watch as your life transforms in ways you never thought possible

Freedom

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