Let’s remind ourselves that to be compassionate and forgiving doesn’t mean we are endorsing dysfunctional behavior. On the contrary, it’s essentially the harm that was inflicted upon us is properly validated and grieved. Forgiveness isn’t an intellectual concept or an airy-fairy idea. It’s a painstaking process. To be compassionate and to forgive mean we are gradually letting go of poisonous, toxic feelings that are trapped in our minds and bodies.

The Kindness Habit: Transforming our Relationship to Addictive Behaviours