Unlocking Freedom: One Woman's Journey from HURT to Healing

Once upon a time, there was a woman named Disha, whose heart was like the sun—always warm and shining. 

Her smile was so bright, and her laugh was so sweet that everyone loved to be around her. One of her closest friends was Mr. Srinivas. 

They were like two peas in a pod, sharing dreams and laughter for Many Years.

But one day, Disha’s world crumbled. She found out that Srinivas, her trusted friend, had betrayed her. It was like a storm hit her heart, and all the trust they shared was swept away. She felt crushed, her heart heavy with anger and sadness.

Disha decided to shut herself off from the world. She spent days staring at the river, feeling lost and alone. But then, one night, as she looked up at the stars, she remembered something her grandmother once told her: 

"Holding onto anger is like holding a hot coal—it only hurts you."

That’s when Disha understood. She didn’t want to carry the pain anymore.

Forgiveness wasn’t about saying that what Srinivas did was okay, but about setting herself free from the anger.

The next morning, with a deep breath, Disha went to Srinivas. He was sitting under the same tree where they once laughed together. His face was full of regret. 

Disha looked him in the eyes and said, 

“Srinivas, you hurt me, but holding onto anger won’t help me.” 

She took a deep breath and said the words that set her free: “I forgive you.”

In that moment, Disha felt lighter. The pain didn’t disappear overnight, but she was no longer carrying the weight of anger. Slowly, she began to heal. And over time, Srinivas showed he was truly sorry, and they started to rebuild their friendship.

Moral of the Story:

Forgiveness isn't about excusing others. 

It’s about setting yourself free from hurt and anger, so you can live in peace.

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Questions & Answers 

1. What did Disha feel when she found out about the betrayal?
   She felt very hurt and angry.

2. Why did Disha forgive Srinivas?
   She forgave him because she realised that holding onto anger was hurting her even more than it was helping.

3. How did Disha feel after forgiving Srinivas?
   She felt lighter and hopeful, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

4. What did Disha learn about forgiveness?
   She learned that forgiveness helps us heal and find peace inside.

5. How can you practice forgiveness in your life?

👉 By talking about how you feel, 

👉 trying to understand others, &

👉 Letting go of hurtful feelings.

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Try Answering these Questions:

1. What experiences have you had with others that you believe you’re still suffering from?

   Model Answer: "I had a heartbreaking experience with someone I thought I could trust completely. I found out that my partner had cheated on me, and even though we've broken up, I still feel that betrayal deeply. It’s hard to let go of the anger and sadness because I invested so much in our relationship, and now I feel lost and hurt."

2. Have you ever made a mistake that you regret?
   Example Answer: "I regret not listening to my instincts when I felt something wasn’t right in a friendship."

3. Do you think you’ve failed yourself in one way or another?

   Model Answer: "Yes, I definitely feel like I failed myself by allowing myself to be open and vulnerable with him. I let my guard down, and now I realize I should have listened to my instincts when they told me something wasn’t right. I wish I had been more cautious and set clearer boundaries."

4. What could you have done differently in those situations?
   Example Answer: "I could have been more open about how I was feeling or set better boundaries."

5. Do you examine your mistakes from a place of compassion or judgment?

   Model Answer: "I tend to judge myself harshly for what happened, especially for not seeing the signs sooner. However, I'm learning to be more compassionate. I remind myself that I was doing the best I could with the information I had at the time, and I was just trying to love and be loved."

6. Do you forgive yourself for your mistakes?
   Example Answer: "I try to be kind to myself and learn from my mistakes, instead of being too hard on myself."

7. What does forgiveness mean to you?

   Model Answer: "Forgiveness means freeing myself from the pain and resentment that this betrayal has caused. It’s not about excusing his actions; instead, it’s about taking back my power and finding peace within myself. I want to move forward without the weight of negative emotions holding me back."

   
   

   
   

8. What are the benefits of forgiveness?

Model Answer: "Forgiveness would allow me to let go of the bitterness and hurt that keeps resurfacing. It would give me the emotional space to heal and open up to new relationships without the fear of being hurt again. Forgiveness helps me take control of my emotional well-being."

9.Do you find it easy to ask for forgiveness? Why? Why not?

Model Answer:

 "I find it incredibly difficult to ask for forgiveness, particularly because I worry about being vulnerable. It's hard for me to admit my mistakes and show that I’ve been hurt. The fear of rejection often makes me hesitate, even when I know it’s the right thing to do."

"Forgive to free your soul; As peace begins within."