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"Forgiveness is good for your health":

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/102/story_10281_1.html

"Have a Heart Healthy Valentine's Day"! Forgive for a healthy heart:

http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20070201/NYFNST0701022007-1.html

David Lotto's brilliant paper on "The Psychohistory of Vengeance":

ThePsychohistoryofVengeance.pdf

"Researchers, regular people know forgiving is right choice": http://halife.com/living/inside_people0428.html

Links to Dr. Luskin's work and research:

http://gardensofforgivenessnetwork.pbwiki.com/Stanford%20Forgiveness%20Center

Recent event in San Francisco, "The Importance of Forgiveness in Health and Healing":

http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=2674&l=1

From article "Giving, forgiving good for everyone":

(for entire article, click on link: http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/features/local_story_127110402.html)

A gift of flowers are often sent to gain forgiveness, but recent research indicates it may be better for your health to forgive without the benefit of gifts.

According to a study conducted at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research concluded that people who forgave others experienced reductions in feelings of nervousness, restlessness and hopelessness.

The boost to one’s health from forgiveness can include lower blood pressure and heart rates, a reduction in chronic pain and fewer symptoms from anxiety, depression or stress.

“When we truly forgive someone, we are releasing our own burdens,” said Jeffrey Gillespie, author of “The Four Givings: Unlock the Miracles Within,” in an interview with StatePoint.net.

“Asking for forgiveness is not so much about the other person, it’s about you and your healing process.”

Deason-Toyne agrees with the research, saying forgiveness brings relief to the soul, which brings relief to the overall person.

“The mental attitude is improved, which has a huge impact on physical well-being,” she said. “Sometimes I have to remind myself – sometimes frequently – that, as a Christian, I am forgiven for my sins and that I need to do the same, although sometimes it just takes time. But once I let go, it is such a release.”

Sandra Gail Hutchins, a retired teacher, echoed Deason-Toyne’s sentiments, saying forgiveness is circular.

“Forgiveness is essential to being a total person,” said Hutchins. “We must forgive others in order to be forgiven. Forgiveness is probably one of the hardest things we have to do.”

Hutchins said she’s forgiven some very difficult things, but not without having to work at it.

“Even though I had to work through the anger that being hurt brings, I must say that forgiving all others has brought me to a place of peace,” she said. “There are some people who will not let you forgive them to their face, but that doesn’t keep us from forgiving them in our hearts. If those who are hard-hearted don’t want to be forgiven, it is their loss, and I hope that they, in return, forgive me for my wrongs.”

Lee has little trouble forgiving others, but is very critical of himself.

“The person I get the maddest at is actually myself,” he said. “It’s easier for me to forgive other people for their mistakes and actions than it is myself. For example, if I was carrying my laptop and dropped it and ruined it, I would be so mad I couldn’t stand it. But if someone else did it, I would just simply take it apart and look to see what can be done to make it work again. I rarely get mad at other people. I try to be as happy as much as possible, because the more I am, the better I feel all the time.”

The key to becoming healthier through forgiveness, experts say, it the recognition that any mental or physical distress you feel now about a situation or grudge comes from current hurt feelings, not from the original offense or hurt experienced in the past. Letting go of these current feelings can help make you feel healthier.

“When you desire something to come into your life, but you are sand, angry or stressed, you are actually focusing on the opposite of your desire,” Gillespie told StatePoint. “By giving thanks, being charitable, being mindful of others and merciful and forgiving, you can become a healthier person.”