The question of why I would desire to take part in this type of event hung in the air like the odor in the neighborhood on the sweltering hot garbage day.
Forgiveness is deeper than simply simply saying to yourself "I forgive this person" or 
"I forgive myself.  Since it will most likely be impossible to suit every facet of a subject into a piece, go with a set (how many depends on the length of time you want the essay to go) that after discussed together, can create a clear picture inside your reader's mind.