Forgiveness and the Impact on Dating

As a woman who has been single for over 10 years, I have been on several dates. While not all dates turn our well, a few have progressed into lasting relationships for which my life has been blessed. As a key aspect of dating, I have learned that forgiveness is a powerful tool that can impact a relationship in a positive manner and bring renewed sense of committment.

Forgiveness is the tool by which relationships are transformed. Humans are not perfect. As a result, when we enter into a relationship, we must learn to focus on the positive power of forgiveness and offer it up as an expression of Love, when possible. It is with forgiveness that couples begin to understand the acceptance of themselves as well as the acceptance of the relationship partner.

Without forgiveness in a relationship, couples often find they are highly stressed and pre-occupied by fear and resentment toward the partner in the relationship. Often, this same lack of forgiveness will lead to a separation in the relationship in which each individual begins to feel alone and pre-ccupied with their own emotions.

This is not to say, however, that, when in a dating relationship, we should repeatedly forgive someone for the same repeated behavior. In every relationship, there should be a line drawn as to what is acceptable and unacceptable forms of treatment. Extending forgiveness when these boundaries are violated is crucial in offering love towards your partner and should not be used as an extension of superiority. However, repeated forgiveness of the same behavior may actually show lack of cooperation by the other partner and should be addressed.

When involved in a relationship that is built upon mistakes and misfortunes, which is quite common among new partners who are dating, the act of forgiveness allows both partners to feel free of the guilt that accompanies the complication and, thereby, move forward in the relationship in a positive manner. In the act of forgiveness, therefore, we do not focus on the guilt or innocence of any partner and, instead, allow the issue of dispute to be released and both partners to feel free of guilt and move forward, in unity, in the relationship.

Practicing the art of forgiveness in the relationship, commonly, will work to boost the strength between the couple. Whn forgiven for an act that was detrimental to your partner, show appreciation for the release of guilt and innocence and move forward in the relationship, working to avoid repeating the event again. In relationships where forgiveness is not common practice, the relationship is destined to fail without regard to the love and care each partner has for the other.