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Lessons from Les Mis:
Forgiveness Changes Everything
by Dr. Virginia Smith
image Deen van Meer
Christmas day, 2012, saw the long anticipated release of the movie Les Misérables. The stage version of Les Mis is the longest running musical in history, viewed by over 60 million people in 42 countries and performed in 21 languages. My family has seen it no less than five times, including last fall in London.
Victor Hugo’s epic portrayal of love and sacrifice in 19th century France follows the lives of two major characters—Jean Valjean, an escaped convict, and Javert, the policeman sworn to track him down. Contrary to what one might expect, Valjean is victorious in the end, and Javert meets a tragic end, committing suicide.
Receiving Forgiveness
What is it about this musical that continues to touch the hearts of so many? What was the difference in the way that the two men faced life? What ultimately led one to peace and the other to despair?
What is it about this musical that continues to touch the hearts of so many? What was the difference in the way that the two men faced life? What ultimately led one to peace and the other to despair?
Valjean experienced forgiveness in his life and learned to share that forgiveness with others. Javert could not forgive and did not allow himself to accept the forgiveness of others—creating bitterness that continued to build within him until he could no longer cope.
The same thing, on a much less dramatic scale, can happen in the workplace. When forgiveness is given and received, peace builds healthy relationships, and work can be accomplished. When forgiveness is denied or rejected, bitterness grows—affecting work and damaging relationships, sometimes permanently.
Roberto Assagioli, a Jewish-Venetian psychiatrist imprisoned during WWII, stated it this way, “Without forgiveness life is governed by…an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.”
Giving Forgiveness
As a supervisor it is critical to forgive those for whom you have responsibility. By forgiving, you not only allow them to do their jobs and feel empowered by your support, but you also free yourself from the bonds imposed by not forgiving. By letting go of hard feelings, you have more emotional energy to take care of your job, those who work with you, and yourself.
As a supervisor it is critical to forgive those for whom you have responsibility. By forgiving, you not only allow them to do their jobs and feel empowered by your support, but you also free yourself from the bonds imposed by not forgiving. By letting go of hard feelings, you have more emotional energy to take care of your job, those who work with you, and yourself.
As a worker, it is important to forgive not only your colleagues but also those in authority. Everyone will make mistakes. If you forgive the slights and mistakes of others, you can do your job with a clear conscience and improve not only your work experience but also that of those around you.
Forgiveness does not negate consequences. Mistakes that create a backlog in shipping or an accounting nightmare must still be dealt with. Forgiveness absorbs consequences, creating a network of support for the offender as they and others work together on solutions.
E.H. Chapin once said, “Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it forgoes revenge, and dares to forgive an injury.” So as this year unfolds, strive to forgive easily and freely, and enjoy the freedom and joy that forgiveness brings—not only to the forgiven but also to the forgiver.
