Barbara Bonner started her professional life as an art historian specializing in seventeenth century European painting, then went on to work in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and philanthropy. She is currently embarked on meditation teacher training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.

Her skills in curating resources and materials have served her well since this is her third book collection with quotes, poems, and stories organized around specific themes. The first two were Inspiring Generosity and Inspiring Courage.

Inspiring Forgiveness begins with a dozen stories about the importance of this spiritual practice. Bonner sees it as an inner activity of the heart, an intention that compels us to weigh our values, and a radical act of love.

This top-drawer paperback also contains over 60 thought-provoking quotes and a selection of poems. Here are a few examples:

"True forgiveness deals with the past, all of the past, to make the future possible."
— Desmond Tutu

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."
— Paul Boese

"As long as you don't forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind."
— Isabelle Holland

"True forgiveness is not an action after the fact, it is an attitude with which you enter each moment. "
— David Bridge

"Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness."
— William Arthur Ward