--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness isn't simply an option or a…" description: "\"Forgiveness isn't simply an option or a good idea; it is mandatory for our restorative process.\" — Grace Gealey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/grace-gealey-32720_forgiveness_forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a_3009156.jpg" --- # Forgiveness isn't simply an option or a good idea; it is… ![“Forgiveness isn't simply an option or a good idea; it is mandatory for our restorative process.” quote by Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/grace-gealey-32720_forgiveness_forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a_3009156.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/grace-gealey-32720_forgiveness_forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a_3009156.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/grace-gealey-32720_forgiveness_forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a_3009156.jpg) > “Forgiveness isn't simply an option or a good idea; it is mandatory for our restorative process.” [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness is essential for healing, not just optional. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness is required for healing. Key Takeaway Practice forgiveness. Themes healing justice compassion Mood empathetic determined Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal trauma - community rebuilding Key Concepts restorative justice psychology Questions to Reflect On - What steps help you forgive? - How does forgiveness aid restoration? A Different Perspective Forgiveness can be difficult without genuine remorse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiveness Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-isn-1191353/) [Good ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-ideas/) [Idea Mandatory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-mandatory-4816961/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Mandatory Restorative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandatory-restorative-4816959/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Restorative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restorative-457720/) [Restorative Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restorative-process-4816960/) ## Related quotes > [The reason I namecheck restorative justice so much is because that, to me, is the utopia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-quinn/the-reason-i-namecheck-restorative-justice-so-much-is-because-that-to/) [Zoe Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-quinn/) > [I'm not an environmentalist. I'm a cultural repairman. It's all about efficient and restorative use of resources to make the world secure, prosperous and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amory-lovins/i-m-not-an-environmentalist-i-m-a-cultural-repairman-it-s-all-about/) [Amory Lovins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amory-lovins/) > [“take meaningful restorative breaks”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/take-meaningful-restorative-breaks/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [Solitude is very restorative for me, especially because I spend so much time around other people and performing to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/solitude-is-very-restorative-for-me-especially-because-i-spend-so/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [Concrete, Steel & Paint portrays the core values of restorative justice-respect, responsibility and relationships-expressed through art. it is art that involves victims, offenders and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zehr/concrete-steel-paint-portrays-the-core-values-of-restorative-justice/) [Howard Zehr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zehr/) > [Restorative justice is not a replacement of retributive justice, but a complement. It seeks the rehabilitation of the wrongdoer and the repair of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/restorative-justice-is-not-a-replacement-of-retributive-justice-but-a/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [The most restorative activity is to get out in nature where the air quality is a little nicer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weyes-blood/the-most-restorative-activity-is-to-get-out-in-nature-where-the-air/) [Weyes Blood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/weyes-blood/) > [Our current criminal justice system has no provision for restorative justice, in which an offender confronts the damage they have done and tries to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-kerman/our-current-criminal-justice-system-has-no-provision-for-restorative-2/) [Piper Kerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-kerman/) > [“Restorative niche' is Professor Little's term for the place you go when you want to return to your true self. It can be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/restorative-niche-is-professor-little-s-term-for-the-place-you-go/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“...our current criminal justice system has no provision for restorative justice, in which an offender confronts the damage they have done and tries to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-kerman/our-current-criminal-justice-system-has-no-provision-for-restorative/) [Piper Kerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-kerman/) > [We seek a restorative justice, not a retributive justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/we-seek-a-restorative-justice-not-a-retributive-justice/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [If I can steal away and read something other than what I have to for my work, it's restorative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/if-i-can-steal-away-and-read-something-other-than-what-i-have-to-for/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [“Using the context and stuff of our daily lives to create an atmosphere of comfort prepares the ground for moments of unexpected intimacy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-thomsen-brits/using-the-context-and-stuff-of-our-daily-lives-to-create-an/) [Louisa Thomsen Brits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-thomsen-brits/) > [“restorative medicine” refers to medical practices that enable the body to heal itself rather than just treat the symptoms”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-r-gundry/restorative-medicine-refers-to-medical-practices-that-enable-the-body/) [Steven R. Gundry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-r-gundry/) > [I believe in the healing restorative power of art and communication. And so that's probably my rule. But that doesn't apply to bedtimes. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-hawke/i-believe-in-the-healing-restorative-power-of-art-and-communication/) [Ethan Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-hawke/) ## More by Grace Gealey > [I need the sun, sand and ocean to rejuvenate my spirit, the food to enliven my body and all of the familiar places, friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/i-need-the-sun-sand-and-ocean-to-rejuvenate-my-spirit-the-food-to/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [Love is accepting your truest, most authentic expression of self, and allowing yourself to do the same with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/love-is-accepting-your-truest-most-authentic-expression-of-self-and/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [I love to paint. It's more of a hobby, but people love the paintings so much that I end up selling whatever I paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/i-love-to-paint-it-s-more-of-a-hobby-but-people-love-the-paintings-so/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [Yoga is vital because it keeps me in full awareness and connection with my breath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/yoga-is-vital-because-it-keeps-me-in-full-awareness-and-connection/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [What I love most about yoga is that you can make it whatever you need it to be. For me, it's a time set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/what-i-love-most-about-yoga-is-that-you-can-make-it-whatever-you-need/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [Raising awareness about the Deaf culture is a huge cause that I advocate. Because both of my parents are deaf, I am passionate about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/raising-awareness-about-the-deaf-culture-is-a-huge-cause-that-i/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [Anything that provokes a visceral or spiritual response and ignites my senses. Whether it's listening to the ocean, dancing to a song I adore,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/anything-that-provokes-a-visceral-or-spiritual-response-and-ignites/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [My involvement is an extension of who I am as a person. I have found a sense of renewal and peace when I allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/my-involvement-is-an-extension-of-who-i-am-as-a-person-i-have-found-a/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [If necessary, I cry. I pray. I rest. I'm fortunate to have quite a few strong, independent, loving, and unbiased women in my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/if-necessary-i-cry-i-pray-i-rest-i-m-fortunate-to-have-quite-a-few/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [I don't think I've entirely had that moment yet! There's still so much more to be done. Professionally I am so grateful to step…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/i-don-t-think-i-ve-entirely-had-that-moment-yet-there-s-still-so-much/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [I have a spiritual practice which helps to keep me grounded and centered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/i-have-a-spiritual-practice-which-helps-to-keep-me-grounded-and/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [I have a spiritual practice which helps to keep me grounded and centered. Yoga is vital because it keeps me in full awareness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/i-have-a-spiritual-practice-which-helps-to-keep-me-grounded-and-2/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [Be gentle with everyone you meet; we all have experienced pain, hurt, anger, and rejection. Be kind to everyone's spirit; you have no idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/be-gentle-with-everyone-you-meet-we-all-have-experienced-pain-hurt/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [I keep a gratitude log, which helps to remind me of all the blessings I experience daily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/i-keep-a-gratitude-log-which-helps-to-remind-me-of-all-the-blessings/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) [Explore all 15 Grace Gealey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“So in practicing blanket forgiveness you first assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-kahili-king/so-in-practicing-blanket-forgiveness-you-first-assume-that-in-any/) [Serge Kahili King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-kahili-king/) > [Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough...live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-what-is-given-to-you-and-do-it-well-and-you-will-have-done-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The public, more often than not, will forgive mistakes, but it will not forgive trying to wiggle out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-public-more-often-than-not-will-forgive-mistakes-but-it-will-not/) [Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/) [Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/) [Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/) > [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/) [Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/) [Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Forgiveness isn't simply an option or a good idea; it is mandatory for our restorative process.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Grace Gealey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a-good-idea-it-is-mandatory-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forgiveness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a-good-idea-it-is-mandatory-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/grace-gealey-32720_forgiveness_forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a_3009156.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/grace-gealey-32720_forgiveness_forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a_3009156.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/grace-gealey-32720_forgiveness_forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a_3009156.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Forgiveness isn't simply an option or a good idea; it is mandatory for our restorative process.” — Grace Gealey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Grace Gealey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Forgiveness isn't simply an option or...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a-good-idea-it-is-mandatory-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/forgiveness-isn-t-simply-an-option-or-a-good-idea-it-is-mandatory-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```