Anonymous wrote:Forgiveness and leaving are 2 different things.
You can leave him/her and still forgive.
You can forgive and stay.
Forgiveness is the act of changing how you view the act, letting go of negative emotions (vengeance/anger) and wishing the offender well.
Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself not the offender.
You may be able to forgive but not stay. You may be able to forgive and stay.
Forgiven? yes Forgotten? No.
Anonymous wrote:I did it. I think it depends entirely on the people involved, the exact underlying cirumstances, the actions the cheater takes afterwards, etc.
Many, many couples stay together after infidelity. I think that sometimes they are just not the most vocal about it because it's not always something you want to admit to other people.
Anonymous wrote:OP: The thing is, I am not going to be so simple minded about 1) basic human urges 2) the collective events that led up to the emotional break between us that I believe led to the cheating. He did something weak and immature but I was also being shitty and mean.
Honestly, I get it and what happened. And it was a one off. My whole thing is all the fuckin self help advice online and everywhere is I am submitting to some kind of domestic abuse by staying with him. There are no gray areas.
I really actually have forgiven him already... just feeling screwed up because of what that forgiveness might mean. We always pump up forgiveness in society as holy and aspirational but when someone does it we call them a dummy...
Anonymous wrote:Never say never, but I cannot think of a situation in which I would be capable of forgiveness. I think it would haunt me and our relationship for the rest of our lives.
Anonymous wrote:OP: The thing is, I am not going to be so simple minded about 1) basic human urges 2) the collective events that led up to the emotional break between us that I believe led to the cheating. He did something weak and immature but I was also being shitty and mean.
Honestly, I get it and what happened. And it was a one off. My whole thing is all the fuckin self help advice online and everywhere is I am submitting to some kind of domestic abuse by staying with him. There are no gray areas.
I really actually have forgiven him already... just feeling screwed up because of what that forgiveness might mean. We always pump up forgiveness in society as holy and aspirational but when someone does it we call them a dummy...