Forgive them, sure. Hand them the same knife again? No.

STILLNESS

WHAT THIS MEANS

Forgiveness releases you from carrying the grudge. It does not require you to restore the access that made the harm possible, and confusing the two is how people get hurt twice by the same person. Trust rebuilds slowly, on evidence, in smaller portions than the first time around. That is not bitterness, only learning at the ordinary speed.

You can be warm to someone and still not tell them what you told them before. Decide what closeness feels safe now and hold it without announcing a policy. If they earn more back over months, you can always give more.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

Who have you forgiven without letting back in that close?

MORE IN PEACE, BOUNDARIES & INDEPENDENCE

Free, with nothing to buy inside it.