No doubt you’ve heard the saying that when you refuse to forgive someone, you are just continuing to let that person hurt you. Why do that to yourself? Try and for- give. Forgiveness leaves your memories intact but removes and even transforms the emotional stings—it’s an effective way to diminish painful feelings so that you can create more pleasurable ones. Forgiveness is not an erasure of the past; rather, it’s a great way to change the emotional projections that a memory carries (be- cause you attached deep meaning to what happened when it occurred). Forgive- ness reduces the energy you’d be spending to maintain your anger toward some- one who has offended and hurt you. Forgiveness is good for your body and soul.