--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness means accepting what is or…" description: "\"Forgiveness means accepting what is or what has been and becoming willing to see it differently. You cannot un-hear what you have heard or un-see what ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/iyanla-vanzant-557_accepting_forgiveness-means-accepting-what-is-or-w_2495864.jpg" --- # Forgiveness means accepting what is or what has been and… ![“Forgiveness means accepting what is or what has been and becoming willing to see it differently. You cannot un-hear what you have heard or un-see what you have seen. What you can do is stop believing that what occurred has somehow left you broken, damaged and wounded. While forgiveness ain’t easy…” quote by Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/iyanla-vanzant-557_accepting_forgiveness-means-accepting-what-is-or-w_2495864.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/iyanla-vanzant-557_accepting_forgiveness-means-accepting-what-is-or-w_2495864.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/iyanla-vanzant-557_accepting_forgiveness-means-accepting-what-is-or-w_2495864.jpg) > “Forgiveness means accepting what is or what has been and becoming willing to see it differently. You cannot un-hear what you have heard or un-see what you have seen. What you can do is stop believing that what occurred has somehow left you broken, damaged and wounded. While forgiveness ain’t easy, it’s the most important inner work you can do within your mind and heart.” [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness involves reframing past hurts, letting go of self‑victimization, and choosing a new perspective. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness is seeing past pain differently. Key Takeaway Practice reframing painful memories. Themes healing self‑compassion inner work Mood calm hopeful Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - relationship conflict - personal trauma - daily irritations Key Concepts psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What pain are you ready to reframe? - How can you create a safe space for healing? A Different Perspective Forgiveness can be hindered by unresolved anger or lack of safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart and mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-and-mind/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind and heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-and-heart/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Wounded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounded/) ## Related quotes > [It takes a lot more courage to let something go than it does to hang on to it, trying to make it better. Letting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/it-takes-a-lot-more-courage-to-let-something-go-than-it-does-to-hang/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [For most Americans, progress means accepting what is new because it is new, and discarding what is old because it is old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/for-most-americans-progress-means-accepting-what-is-new-because-it-is/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [To forgive another from the heart is an act of liberation. We set that person free from the negative bonds that exist between us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/to-forgive-another-from-the-heart-is-an-act-of-liberation-we-set-that/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [We can struggle with what is. We can judge and blame others or ourselves. Or we can accept what cannot be changed. Peace comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-can-struggle-with-what-is-we-can-judge-and-blame-others-or/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [It's a very important process of self-recognition, self-introspection, by just daily accepting our creation, accepting what is right in front of us, breathing, letting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mccormick-day/it-s-a-very-important-process-of-self-recognition-self-introspection/) [Christine McCormick Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mccormick-day/) > [Consider that worrying excessively about another person, especially a loved one, is a destructive act. It causes you emotional distress which prevents you from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/consider-that-worrying-excessively-about-another-person-especially-a/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/you-must-love-yourself-before-you-love-another-by-accepting-yourself/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [“Find the perfection in every moment instead of trying to make every moment perfect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnalynn-civello/find-the-perfection-in-every-moment-instead-of-trying-to-make-every/) Donnalynn Civello > [I know that I'm very susceptible to getting caught up in storylines like, "I want him to be different. I want him to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-bareilles/i-know-that-i-m-very-susceptible-to-getting-caught-up-in-storylines/) [Sara Bareilles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-bareilles/) > [Embrace the higher truth that everything comes to pass exactly as it should. Find peace and wisdom by accepting what is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/embrace-the-higher-truth-that-everything-comes-to-pass-exactly-as-it/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [Time after time, on matters great and small, we are still standing on the sidelines, mutely accepting what is decided elsewhere instead of raising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-ewing/time-after-time-on-matters-great-and-small-we-are-still-standing-on/) Winnie Ewing > [If you can accept the flow of life and give in to it, you will be accepting what is real. Only when you accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-can-accept-the-flow-of-life-and-give-in-to-it-you-will-be/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I have a daily message, 'Stimumail,' which I use to stimulate the mind and heart. I have the opportunity to touch over 60,000 people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/i-have-a-daily-message-stimumail-which-i-use-to-stimulate-the-mind/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Sometimes change means accepting things about ourselves that we'd rather not face up to. The truth hurts, but then it works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-change-means-accepting-things-about-ourselves-that-we-d/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being in a good relationship means accepting each other's faults more than loving each other's attributes, because everyone's not perfect and you can't just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-in-a-good-relationship-means-accepting-each-other-s-faults-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Iyanla Vanzant > [For some reason,we keep forgetting some of our experience. We look back but don't bring the value forward. We bring the anger, the upset.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/for-some-reason-we-keep-forgetting-some-of-our-experience-we-look/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [All things are lessons that God would have us learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/all-things-are-lessons-that-god-would-have-us-learn/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [“Life would be so much easier if, when we hit a snag in a relationship, any relationship, we would stop, address it, and move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/life-would-be-so-much-easier-if-when-we-hit-a-snag-in-a-relationship/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [How do you spell peace? P-R-A-Y-E-R! Anything you believe you need is available to you through prayer. We are not talking here about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/how-do-you-spell-peace-p-r-a-y-e-r-anything-you-believe-you-need-is/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [We are distracted from our greatness because are greatness is what scares us. Right where you are…God is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/we-are-distracted-from-our-greatness-because-are-greatness-is-what/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Some children do what they’re told to do; some children do what they’re told not to do; all children do what they’re parents have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/some-children-do-what-they-re-told-to-do-some-children-do-what-they/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Life doesn't have to be hard, life is on your side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/life-doesn-t-have-to-be-hard-life-is-on-your-side/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [You can accept or reject the way you are treated by other people, but until you heal the wounds of your past, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/you-can-accept-or-reject-the-way-you-are-treated-by-other-people-but/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [We must each learn to feel comfortable in our own uniqueness by rising above the fear of being wrong and the aversion to being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/we-must-each-learn-to-feel-comfortable-in-our-own-uniqueness-by/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [I am not seeking anything but service to my creator. I do not need a house, I do not need a car, I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/i-am-not-seeking-anything-but-service-to-my-creator-i-do-not-need-a/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [The remedy for life's broken pieces is not classes, workshops or books. Don't try to heal the broken pieces. Just forgive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/the-remedy-for-life-s-broken-pieces-is-not-classes-workshops-or-books/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [When someone entrusts their heart to you they are giving you a piece of their soul. You cannot treat the soul casually. You must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/when-someone-entrusts-their-heart-to-you-they-are-giving-you-a-piece/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [When you have something to do life will not allow you to ove foward until you do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/when-you-have-something-to-do-life-will-not-allow-you-to-ove-foward/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Have you doubted your progress, regretted your choices, put yourself down? Remember that you are doing just fine. Remind yourself right now that no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/have-you-doubted-your-progress-regretted-your-choices-put-yourself/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [The only relationship we can have in this life is the relationship we have with ourselves. We cannot love anybody more than we love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/the-only-relationship-we-can-have-in-this-life-is-the-relationship-we/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) [Explore all 476 Iyanla Vanzant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Forgiveness means accepting what is or what has been and becoming willing to see it differently. You cannot un-hear what you have heard or un-see what you have seen. What you can do is stop believing that what occurred has somehow left you broken, damaged and wounded. 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