Be Happy – Let us celebrate Holi as An occasion for forgiveness

Forgiveness is the release of all hope for a better past. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. It is typically defined as the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offence, difference or mistake, and/or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as 'to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offence or debt'.

The concept and benefits of forgiveness have been explored in religious thought, the social sciences and medicine. Forgiveness may be considered simply in terms of the person who forgives including forgiving themselves, in terms of the person forgiven and/or in terms of the relationship between the forgiver and the person forgiven. In some contexts, forgiveness may be granted without any expectation of restorative justice, and without any response on the part of the offender (for example, one may forgive a person who is incommunicado or dead). In practical terms, it may be necessary for the offender to offer some form of acknowledgment, apology, and/or restitution, or even just ask for forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe himself able to forgive.

Most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many varying modern day traditions and practices of forgiveness. Some religious doctrines or philosophies place greater emphasis on the need for humans to find some sort of divine forgiveness for their own shortcomings, others place greater emphasis on the need for humans to practice forgiveness of one another, yet others make little or no distinction between human and/or divine forgiveness.

Holi, a national festival of all the Indians is an occasion when we color ourselves to suit the change in nature we observe during these days. Though there are spiritual and religious approaches to celebrate this festival, one more message can be inherited, which is the most important when we see that there is reducing impact of caste, color and creed world over on the society in Barack Obama taking over the Presidency of US, when we see that every one of us has caliber to grow up once there is conducive atmosphere or opportunity provided to the incumbent beyond the classification on the basis of caste, color and creed.

Holi be called as Ho li, a break-up of the word in Hindi language, that means whatever the wrongs have been committed knowingly or unknowingly must be forgiven and a fresh chapter must be started to rebuild the cordial terms with each other. Hindus apply chandan or gulal on the forehead of other one and hug to bring the enemy near to their hearts as if that person is close to heart. We may follow up this factor to enjoy the life more peacefully. It is message to bring about the equality amongst the subjects because after coloring each other, none is able to mark distinctively who is poor or rich, who is black or white or who is lower or superior.

Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves. We must not forget that the practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.

Be Happy – Let us celebrate Holi as An occasion for forgiveness