The Power of Forgiveness {Chicken Soup for the Soul}

**Disclosure: We received a copy of this book in order to bring you this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% our own.

Recently, I read Chicken Soup for the Soul's The Power of Forgiveness. We all have times when we have to let go of something holding us back whether it is something we have done, something someone else has done or we have had some type of loss. Anecdotes about overcoming these types of setbacks can often be among the most inspiring stories read.


Initially, I had a difficult time getting into this volume of Chicken Soup for the Soul. (Which is the first time ever with Chicken Soup for the Soul!) However, one the strong points of Chicken Soup for the Soul is that each volume contains a collection of stories broken into a range of categories. So if the first cluster of stories does not grab you, chances are you will find a cluster you enjoy later in the book. Plus, the anecdotes are brief, so you can easily skip around.

This volume did cover a range of territory including forgiving spouses, abusers, siblings, people that are still alive, those that have passed away and even yourself. One story that stood out to me is of one woman that invited an ex that she still loved for dinner many years later. She asked his forgiveness for what happened years before. The pair achieved the closure they need and the ex passes away some months later. Another tells the story of childhood friends that went on separate paths due to young adult melodrama. Years later, they are able to reconnect despite the author's initial worries. This was particularly touching because I have recently reconnected with an old friend myself! One truly poignant anecdote is actually one author writing a letter to forgive an abuser. You will need a kleenex for that one! Quite a range of stories with some that we can immediately connect with and others we can draw inspiration from.

Once again, a lovely volume by Chicken Soup from the Soul! I just love having these books around because they provide such quick and much needed asides!