This is a huge, and often misunderstood aspect of forgiveness. It is much more thought-driven than emotion-driven. In fact, it is all about replacing thoughts that fuel anger and the desire for revenge with the thought that I choose to no longer harm myself with these emotions.

Also, forgiveness is actually selfish. Not in a bad way, though. It’s a first step towards healing. The request by the former guard for the former prisoner’s forgiveness is actual a request for absolution. In truth, the perpetrator must come to his own resolution for his actions. Interestingly, in this story the former Nazi never apologized.