Beautiful sentiments for Yom Kippur and whenever we think about forgiveness.

First line: Whoever has hurt me or has done me any wrong. Last line: Be my inspirations for the coming year…

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring wrongdoings, but it’s still so important if we want to feel better.

First line: Forgiveness is a door to peace and happiness. Last line: Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning…

#METOO! Love this reading.

First line: I want to apologize to all the women I have called pretty before I’ve called them intelligent or brave. Last line: Not because I don’t think you’re pretty but because you are so much more than that…

You know when you get so mad at your mom or dad for fucking you up? Us too. This reading helps.

First line: Remembering our parents. Last line: Some of us may feel that our parents harmed us, intentionally or unintentionally, and that we are not yet able to forgive them; we pray that our mentioning them here today will help bring us a measure of healing…

This is a sweet reading by the famous Mother Teresa. If you don’t believe in God, just drop the last verse and it’s still strong.

First line: People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. Last line: You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway…

This is an exquisite reading about forgiving yourself. Something we can all do better. It is easy to see why Maya Angelou was one of Barack Obama’s favorite poets.

First line: I don’t know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. Last line: If we don’t have that we never grow, we never learn, and sure as hell, we should never teach…

Opening to the pain from our childhoods (something most of us are familiar with) can help us tap into our resilience and inner fire. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

First line: You are not broken. Last line: To cultivate those qualities of heart and spirit that are available to you in this very moment…

We have the right to be angry, and the power to move beyond the pain when we’re ready. It’s a process that can’t be rushed, but anger doesn’t have to last forever.

First line: You have a right to be angry. Last line: It might take time, and it might not be easy, but it is possible to heal and move on…

The world doesn’t need author, Cristen Rodgers, knows that daring to forgive and show compassion, particularly with ourselves, IS NOT EASY. Try to do it anyway.

First line: The world doesn’t need more people beating themselves up inside, making a bloody mess of their broken hearts and tattered shreds of their minds. Last line: The world needs more beautiful souls like yours who choose to see the beauty in their scars, who dare to forgive, to take their great big hearts and turn them inside out and give themselves the same kind of compassion that they give to others…

Yes, this reading is perfect for Yom Kippur, but truthfully, we should probably all be doing a lot of forgiveness year-round. The title of this reading says it all: ask forgiveness, forgive others, and forgive yourself. It’s harder than it sounds, but the payoff is BIG.

First line: If I have harmed anyone in any way either knowingly or unknowingly through my own confusions, I ask their forgiveness. Last line: For all the ways that I harm myself, negate, doubt, belittle myself, judge or be unkind to myself through my own confusions, I forgive myself…

This is a super short but poignant reading about pain and patterns. Worth checking out.

First line: Hurt people hurt people. Last line: Love is the weapon of the future…

Apology and forgiveness are critical parts of Judaism, and are the key to a humanity that can truly co-exist with love and respect.