To forgive does not mean to forget.  It is unwise to refuse to learn from the past - good or bad.  To forget is to ignore reality and refuse to take the bread of life.  True forgiveness is not rooted in forgetting.  True forgiveness is rooted in the understanding that Humanity still has much work to do.  Forgive and use the wisdom gained to make you a more prepared individual moving forward.  Never forget.  

Forgiveness makes you stronger.  Have you ever heard someone say at a funeral, "He never got over __________"?  Do you want to be the person that "never got over __________"?  You are not the only person that bad things happen to.  That doesn't diminish your past, but know without a doubt that you're better off getting over anything that's holding you back.  Getting over things makes you stronger, and forgiveness is a vital ingredient to that end.  Don't get stuck.

Forgiveness puts you back in charge.  You're not in control when you're sulking, seething, or scornful.  Time is allocated poorly by negative emotions.  How many people have you seen in the past do something regretful when they're mad, sad, or jealous?  Likewise, how many people have you seen in the past do something regretful when they were happy? You've never heard someone say after making a mistake, "I did it because I was happy."  Forgiveness allows you to overcome negative emotions.

Forgiveness is not a gimmick.  Forgiveness is a powerful tool to help you move forward in life and allows you to obtain happiness even in the most difficult circumstances.  Escape bitterness.  Escape anger.  Escape the gray prison of negative emotion.  Move forward.  Maintain a positive trajectory.  Maneuver with intent.  Choose the best way forward through forgiveness and the wisdom gathered through purposeful action.  Forgive to be fulfilled.