HOW TO FIND FREEDOM

So much suffering that we subject ourselves to, that's right we subject ourselves to suffering when we hold on to anger and bitterness, feelings of wrongdoing and pain. Forgiveness is a TOOL. It is an ability that we have to let go of pain and begin the healing process. Choosing to forgive and forget as they say is giving yourself the freedom to live in peace. Sometimes we feel the need to apologize to someone that we have hurt because we need them to say that they forgive us. We go to confession if we're Catholic to receive absolution from sins. Sometimes we find relief in confiding in loved ones and "venting" frustration at a situation. This is merely a temporary diversion from either directly addressing a problem or just letting go of the hurt. Look deep within yourself to find the trust that you have for your capacity to forgive. Nurture this ability to find a good thought and smile. Breath a sigh of relief and go on with the rest of your life. It's just a thought and breath away.

Forgiveness from Wikipedia:

Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.[1] The concept and benefits of forgiveness have been explored in religious thought, the social sciences and medicine. Forgiveness may be considered simply in terms of the person who forgives, in terms of the person forgiven and/or in terms of the relationship between the forgiver and the person forgiven. In some contexts, forgiveness may be granted without any expectation of compensation, and without any response on the part of the offender (for example, one may forgive a person who is dead). In practical terms, it may be necessary for the offender to offer some form of acknowledgment, apology, and/or restitution, or even just ask for forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe himself able to forgive.[1]
Most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many varying modern day traditions and practices of forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son[2] is a well known instance of such teaching and practice of forgiveness. Some religious doctrines or philosophies place greater emphasis on the need for humans to find some sort of divine forgiveness for their own shortcomings, others place greater emphasis on the need for humans to practice forgiveness of one another, yet others make little or no distinction between human and/or divine forgiveness.

Here is a link to a good article I found on the Mayo Clinic site:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131#