How is forgiveness like playing the Hot Potato game? Forgiveness is the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven. I like to say that forgiveness is releasing someone of the debt they owe you. Forgiving someone doesn't mean that what they did was okay. Forgiveness is really for you. When you forgive someone, you let go of the hurt that you are holding onto - like passing a hot potato as quickly as you can. Forgive those who hurt you or your hurt may never end. I'm not saying it's easy to forgive others, but it's what's best for you.