top of page

Peace on Earth Requires Goodwill and Forgiveness

Writer's picture: Luis A. MarreroLuis A. Marrero

Updated: Jan 29

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

 ~ Mahatma Gandhi ~



Reconciliation and Peace

 

Introduction

The article highlights forgiveness as a powerful force for personal and collective peace, particularly in a world marked by conflict and division. It draws attention to the historical and ongoing global crises that illustrate humanity's struggle with forgiveness, emphasizing the need for action to foster goodwill. Based on empirical science, forgiveness is presented as a strength that requires continuous self-improvement and collaboration. It presents the value of choosing kindness over negative judgment, common humanity over isolation, and mindfulness versus over-identification. This is the first article in a series on forgiveness.


 

In Psychology of Forgiveness, the authors lamented, “… one might point to the fact that the 20th century has been the bloodiest and probably the most unforgiving century in human history, perhaps leading people to conclude that forgiveness constituted little more than a nice sentiment.” (McCullough, Pargament, Thoresen, 2000).


Unfortunately, the 21st century is not starting too well either. We have had significant conflicts since 2000, including but not limited to the War on Terror (2001 to the present), the Iraq War (2003-2011), the Syrian Civil War (2011-Present), the Yemeni Civil War (2014-Present), Russia-Georgian War (2008), the Libyan Civil Wars (2011, 2014-2020), the Ukraine-Russia Conflict  (2014, 2022-Present), the ongoing Israel-Palestine Conflicts (2008-2009, 2014, 2023-Present), and the Ethiopian Civil War (2020-2022).


Moreover, as of January 2025, the Doomsday Clock was set to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been since its inception in 1947. This decision was influenced by threats such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, nuclear tensions, climate change, and other global challenges.


The good news is that there are solutions to conflict. We just need the will to follow through. One small way to make a big difference is by learning and practicing genuine forgiveness, reconciling, and caring for one another. More than a few times in our lives, we all have offended others and been offended. Forgiveness is a critical step toward achieving personal and collective peace. While offenses are an unfortunate reality of being human—we are all flawed in some way—we are provided the opportunity to continuously work on the project of self-improvement. But we need one another in supportive rather than antagonistic roles.


At the Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose, we do not believe checklists and “Do” lists can generate transformative improvements. However, action steps can be meaningful in pointing the way under the right conditions. Based on sound science, here are a few things we can all strive to consider and do to make a positive difference in promoting peace on earth based on good-willed forgiveness. (Please review our resources, including Neff, K. D. 2003, 2011, 2015)


Kindness Versus Negative Judgment

Kindness refers to being considerate, compassionate, and generous to others. It involves actions and attitudes meant to benefit and uplift others, often without expecting anything in return. Kindness fosters empathy, understanding, and goodwill. On the other hand, a judgmental disposition can be oppressive and demeaning. These behaviors often stem from deep emotional or cognitive flaws. Forgiveness and ultimate peace are best served through a meaningful and kind ethos.


Common Humanity Versus Isolation

Common humanity recognizes that humans share a fundamental connection across cultures, identities, and individual differences. This includes our strengths, weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and shared potential and hardships. Our shared vulnerabilities and struggles can be best avoided, lessened, and overcome through tolerance, mercy, cooperation, a sense of belonging, and mutual care—or, as stated in the previous point, by being intentionally and genuinely kind.


The damaging alternative is to choose isolation, identity-based divisions, and dehumanization. Alienating, ostracizing, marginalizing, excluding, and shunning are not only cruel, but they also betray a serious character flaw in perpetrators. In addition to exposing a character flaw, it has a damaging effect on the ostracizers’ mental health. Two researchers revealed that “Unforgiveness damages the quality of relationships and one’s well-being.” (Miyagawa & Tanigushi, 2020) That is why forgiveness and ultimate peace are best served through inclusion, a welcoming and forgiving disposition, encouragement, and recognizing our shared flawed humanity.


Mindfulness Versus Over-identification

A mindful disposition observes thoughts, feelings, and emotions nonjudgmentally. It also includes a willingness to understand, show compassion, and support awareness and presence in interactions. This attitude allows for active listening and thoughtful, meaningful responses. It leads to harmony because its agenda is peace-seeking. Mindfulness can encourage an aura of care and non-reactivity in relationships, making responding with sensitivity rather than impulsivity easier.


In contrast, rather than responding with gentle inquiry, over-identification can lead to cold, alienating judgments. Over-identification is a psychological state in which an individual becomes excessively entangled or preoccupied with their emotions, thoughts, or experiences, losing perspective and balance. This intense focus often amplifies distress, impaired decision-making, and difficulty objectively relating to oneself or others.


Over-identification focuses on others’ flaws and shortcomings, making it hard to accept human failings as a part of life – a projection of one’s intolerance of one’s own personal defects. Negative feelings against the other person can lead to self-absorption, reducing the ability to empathize with others.


Meaningful mindfulness promotes active listening and non-judgment while being over-identified or self-focused hinders presence and connection. The path to peace starts with a mindful, other-oriented, compassionate, and developmental outlook.


Yes, but …

Many will agree that dealing with our and others’ faults with kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness are better options than judgment, isolation, and over-identification. It makes sense, yet common sense is not that common. Peace and unforgiveness continue to elude us as a species. Earlier, I wrote, “At the Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose, we do not believe checklists and “Do” lists can generate transformative improvements. However, action steps can play a meaningful role in pointing the way under the right conditions.” If you wish to learn how and why individuals, groups, and organizations prevent themselves from succeeding – and how to remedy effectively—contact us at https://www.bostonimp.com/contact.


Conclusion

Forgiveness emerges as a critical pathway to achieving harmony and reducing strife, both personally and globally. By embracing kindness, fostering a sense of shared humanity, and practicing mindfulness, individuals can overcome judgment, isolation, and reactive behaviors. These principles create conditions for reconciliation and meaningful connection.


The call to action is clear: forgiveness is not a passive act but an intentional practice that strengthens relationships and promotes peace. By embodying these ideals, we can navigate the challenges of modern times and contribute to a world where goodwill and understanding prevail.


Resources

Germer, C. K., & Neff, K. D. (2013). Self-Compassion in Clinical Practice. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(8), 856–867. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22021


Kuyken, W., Watkins, E., Holden, E., & Cook, W. (2006). Rumination and Overgeneral Memory in Depression: Effects of Self-Focus and Analytical Thinking. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 115(4), 838–849. DOI: 10.1037/0021-843X.115.4.838


Neff, K. D. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.HarperCollins.


Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. DOI: 10.1080/15298860309032


Neff, K. D., & Dahm, K. A. (2015). Self-Compassion: What It Is, What It Does, and How It Relates to Mindfulness. In B. D. Ostafin, M. D. Robinson, & B. P. Meier (Eds.), Handbook of Mindfulness and Self-Regulation (pp. 121–137). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2263-5_10


Marrero, Luis A. (2013). The Path to a Meaningful Purpose: Psychological Foundations of Logoteleology. iUniverse


Marrero, Luis A. & Daniel Persuitte. (2022). Meaningful Purpose: A Primer in Logoteleology. iUniverse


Marrero, Luis A. (2024) Harmony in Meaning: Unlocking Peace, Confidence, and Happiness through Meaningful Purpose. (https://www.bostonimp.com/post/harmony-in-meaning-unlocking-peace-confidence-and-happiness-through-meaningful-purpose)


McCullough, M. E., Pargament, K. I., & Thoresen, C. E. (Eds.). (2000). Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice. The Guilford Press.


Raes, F. (2010). Rumination and Worry as Mediators of the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Depression and Anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(6), 757–761.DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2010.01.023


Yuki Miyagawa & Junichi Taniguchi (2020): Self-compassion helps people forgive transgressors: Cognitive pathways of interpersonal transgressions, Self and Identity, DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2020.1862904




Related Links





1 Kommentar

Mit 0 von 5 Sternen bewertet.
Noch keine Ratings

Rating hinzufügen
Daniela
21. Dez. 2024
Mit 5 von 5 Sternen bewertet.

Insightful. The problem is that to get there, we need to think as a community not as individuals. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Gefällt mir
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

©2023 by Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose. 

bottom of page