Forgiveness: 

"To err is human, to forgive divine" Alexander Pope

It seems that most people feel that forgiveness is allowing the person that hurt you to "get away with it." Nothing could be further from the truth. 

As Louise Hay states here, it is not about them, it is allowing YOU to release the bonds that bind you. 

"When we forgive someone, the knots are untied, and the past is released" Reshad Feild

When someone does something to you that alters your life plan, you are the one reliving it on a daily basis. Things happen in life that may affect you, you may be devastated, and depending on the violation, the perpetrator may be as well. It may be simply an accident, with nothing premeditated surrounding it, it just took place. Other situations were well thought out and planned, with you as the victim.

We each have to live with ourselves, and your job is to make your life better. You cannot save the others, or the world, you can only work on YOU. So if you are carrying the burden of hurt, anger or resentment toward someone that has dimmed your light in some way, forgiveness is the answer. 

Mayo Clinic: "Forgiving this person, does not condone the act, or deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness is letting go of grudges and bitterness. When someone hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentments and thoughts of revenge, or embrace forgiveness and move forward." 

Forgiveness is entirely about you, and making your life better, allowing you to continue toward a happier future.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness' only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King Jr.

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong" Mahatma Gandhi