You Probably Don’t Want to Hear This (and Neither Do I) — But It Has to Be Done

If we're going to have a true forgiveness practice, we're going to have to forgive the shooters.  I know. This is a really hard one.  Yes, I’m talking about the shooters, the people who commit acts that seem unforgivable. And yes, we’re going to explore why forgiveness matters even here

Forgiveness Unblocks the Divine

Forgiveness serves many purposes, but one of the most profound is that it reconnects us to the divine. When we only forgive some of the transgressors, we block ourselves from fully experiencing unity with the great Oneness. True spiritual freedom comes when our forgiveness extends without limits—even to those whose actions shock or horrify us.  And remember, forgiving them does not mean condoning or approving their actions. Forgiveness is about freeing your own heart and opening to love, even in the face of what feels unforgivable.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Stepping Into Their Shoes

When we begin the difficult work of forgiving “shooters” or anyone who commits acts of extreme violence, a helpful step is empathy. Try to imagine what could cause someone to behave this way. Often, these individuals feel alienated, unloved, or harshly judged. Many were bullied as children, had few friends, or never felt they belonged. It’s not an excuse, but understanding their suffering can soften our hearts and open the door to forgiveness. 

Society’s Role

We can’t ignore the environment that shapes these behaviors. When society normalizes games where children simulate shooting others for hours, what mindset are we cultivating? We are literally training young minds to think in terms of guns and violence, numbing them to the horror and suffering that such actions cause. This societal conditioning contributes to a cycle of pain that extends far beyond the individual.

Why Forgive Anyway

It’s hard. It may feel repugnant. But forgiveness is about freeing ourselves first. Resentment, anger, and fear keep us trapped, while forgiveness releases us and opens the way to love, clarity, and peace. Extending forgiveness—even in these extreme cases—connects us to the higher truth of our shared humanity and to the divine Oneness that unites us all. 

The Simple Truth About Forgiveness

It really is simple to forgive these people. Just remember: they are all children of God, too. God created them, and He loves them. If He can love them, we can at least extend forgiveness.

God sees all of us beyond our crazy actions on this psycho planet. He knows our true goodness because He created us exactly in His own image. He is pure love, and in our ultimate truth, so are we.

All you have to do is hold that thought for these poor, misdirected souls. Feel it in your own heart for a moment or two. That’s what forgiveness truly is: a moment of seeing the higher truth.

Want to go deeper into forgiveness?

• Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love.

• For a little Halloween-inspired forgiveness see What's Behind the Costume. 

• My book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness, offers heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Read it on Amazon →

• Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release. View the deck on Etsy 

• Browse more forgiveness tools, art, and daily reminders in our Etsy Shop 

• Want to receive free weekly forgiveness coaching emails? Sign up and get insights, tools, and inspiration to deepen your practice of forgiveness → Sign up here

Let these tools light your path — because forgiveness sets you free.
— Sue Pipal

Why the World Feels Like a Psycho Planet — and How Forgiveness Frees

What’s Going On Here?

This place is nuts. 

Psycho Planet

Photo by 愚木混株 Yumu on Unsplash

I used to think I was relatively happy, but as I began to study A Course in Miracles (ACIM), it dawned on me just how much true tragedy and difficulty we all accept as normal every single day. We accept rejection. We accept disappointments. We accept frustration, refusals, and the constant “No” that seems to be part of life at every turn. We accept lack—or only some instead of all. 

Life’s Challenges Have Always Been Crazy 

We rarely even blink at the craziest things. We might shake our heads a little, but mostly, we accept that this is just “the way of things” on earth. Why are things set up so that only a few win while so many lose? Only one becomes the head cheerleader, the captain of the football team or the class valedictorian. 

You didn’t get the job. You didn’t get the partner you wanted. Your body isn’t healthy, and you suffer real pain. You don’t feel utterly and completely loved and accepted anywhere. Your favorite pets pass away. Your children face rejection and disappointment. 

In the past, all of these usual trials—illness, loss, frustration—already made life feel like living on a psycho planet. But now, everything has amped up. Extreme political strife, global instability, and constant scary news make it all feel so much crazier than even in the not-so-recent past. 

Seeing the Higher Perspective 

What exactly are we accepting? Are we crazy? Well…yes, ACIM would say that we are. We are accepting a crazy, ego-based interpretation of life. In fact, as egos, we actually created much of this insanity ourselves. 

Choosing Love and Forgiveness 

It’s all in the perspective we choose. Flip the switch from fear to love and focus on what’s working: the good people who help others, the truths we share in common, the beauty that surrounds us in nature, and the brilliance of humans who have created amazing music, mathematics, literature, and art. 

And beyond that, forgive everything that’s crazy. And I mean everything. These days, it’s pretty much an all-day job—but it has to be done. Every time the crazy starts to peep out at you in the world, forgive it. Let it go. And then, when it shows again—even if it’s five minutes later—take a moment to forgive again. Then return your focus to the love, the good, and the beautiful. 

Choosing this perspective is the first step toward stepping off the psycho planet and into a life rooted in love, gratitude, and forgiveness. 

Want to go deeper into forgiveness? 

Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love . My book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness , offers heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Read it on Amazon → 

Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release. View the deck on Etsy → 

Browse more forgiveness tools, art, and daily reminders in our Etsy Shop → 

Want to receive free weekly forgiveness coaching emails? Sign up and get insights, tools, and inspiration to deepen your practice of forgiveness → Sign up here 

Let these tools light your path — because forgiveness sets you free. — Sue Pipal