3 Things That Beyonce's ​Lemonade ​Taught Me About Forgiveness
Start writing a post
relationships

3 Things That Beyonce's ​Lemonade ​Taught Me About Forgiveness

Beyonce's visual masterpiece.

468
3 Things That Beyonce's ​Lemonade ​Taught Me About Forgiveness

Beyonce's visual masterpiece, Lemonade, came out my freshman year of college. Since then, I've watched it about 10 times. I seem to come back to it whenever I need to feel like a boss or whenever I'm going through a dark time. Art heals. This is what I've learned from her album.

1. Forgiveness is about not keeping score. 

One of the quotes I found to be the most impactful from this album was this "Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me."

After going through a pretty awful breakup last year, all I wanted was for the other person to feel the pain I was feeling. I wanted them to hurt too. I did not feel it was fair that I was suffering so much because of them, so I wanted them to suffer too (I know, sounds awful but that's how I felt). However, I soon realized that this is not the right way to heal from pain, nor is it kind to wish another being malice.

My ex-boyfriend and I ended up getting back together, but in order to let someone into my heart again, I had to realize that forgiveness truly was about not keeping score. It is ok to be angry, but it is not ok to stay angry. This line from Lemonade drives home the point that to truly forgive, we must, in fact, move on from the pain and the past, and give space to a more loving future. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. A relationship cannot survive if one person is out to get the other for what they did. This is NOT EASY, but it truly is worth it. This is how you regain your happiness.

2. Forgiveness will not happen overnight. 

The visual album, Lemonade, is over an hour long. In it, B showcases all the stages of her grieving. With her beautiful voice and powerful poetry, she manages to process the fact that her partner in life of 12 years cheated on her. Again, she took an hour to actual address forgiveness in the album. That's a long time, but in real life, I can imagine it took much longer to truly reach a place of healing. Forgiveness takes time, and it takes strength of character. Even Gandhi said that "Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Next time you find it hard to forgive someone who hurt you, remember that it is a process, it does not happen overnight.

3. Forgiveness is love. 

Towards the end of the album, Beyonce admits that "forgiveness is the final act of love."

If you can forgive someone, you can truly say that you love someone. If you can be vulnerable enough to let someone back in, to understand their life and their pain, you will be able to find healing. Most importantly, remember that forgiveness benefits you more than it benefits the one being forgiven. It is an act of love for yourself.

In fact, research by Dr. Frederick Luskin, author of Forgive for Good shows that forgiving actually "reduces depression, anger, and anxiety" and promotes an overall feeling of optimism.

So my advice to you is this. Be like Beyonce and forgive.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

46134
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

29221
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953581
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

160967
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments