Being forgiven is like having all the worst bits of yourself stuffed into a balloon and then having that balloon set free.

We can make balloon arrangements with dozens of balloons.

Forgiveness takes intelligence, discipline, imagination, and persistence, as well as a special psychological strength, something athletes call mental toughness and warriors call courage.

When we forgive, the slave we free is ourselves.

It's like making figures out of balloons. You can fill a balloon with air and shape it to be a pretzel, a donut or a hot dog. Each will have a different moment of inertia and a different center of gravity. By changing the shape of the balloon, you change the physical properties of the balloon.

I forgive him and like water draining from the sand after a wave, the power he held over me disappears. A slow smile rises on my face.