DiShan Washington & Clarisa Velazquez: How Forgiveness Changed Their Lives

by Cyrus Webb

Forgiveness is sometimes easier to talk about than to practice, but for any of us who truly want to be able to live a life of joy and peace we have to be willing to forgive. 

When I announced on Facebook that I was headed to Atlanta I was contact by author and radio personality LaSheera Lee about two individuals that she thought I would want to talk with: bestselling author DiShan Washington and model Clarisa Velazquez. They were on a tour sharing their story, and what a story it was. 

In their own words, DiShan and Clarissa share their story with you and the world, proving that forgiveness really is the key to living a better life. 

DiShan: It's been an interesting journey. Clarissa is my former husband's former mistress. Initially it was really hard, but over time we have been able to develop a friendship and moving forward in our lives, trying to put the past behind us in hopes of being examples for our daughters. We are hoping that through our stories we are able to empower other women and to be examples of what forgiveness looks like.

Clarisa: It's a gratifying experience. DiShan and I actually get along. We are really living what we are speaking each and every day.

DiShan: It's been about 4 years since my ex-husband walked out to be with her. Over time situations in life taught me how to open my heart. God forgives us, so who am I to hold on to something that I feel like she did wrong to me? Of course there was some hatred initially. I blamed her and him for the demise of my marriage. The bitterness that I had ran really deep, but the moment that really changed it all for me and put it in perspective was when I met her. She was a soul. She was just a woman who wanted to be loved, she just happened to fall in love with my husband. The moment we met she looked at me and she said 'I'm sorry,' and we both cried My defenses immediately fell. It changed my entire perspective.

Clarisa: I first had to forgive myself for getting in the situation in order to come out strong and move on. I never had hatred towards DiShan. I had to forgive myself and forgive him. The demise of her marriage was partially because of me.

DiShan: This situation proves that there is nothing too hard for God, if you are willing to open up your heart. I want people to know in spite of whatever situation they find themselves in it's possible to forgive. For a long time I felt my life had been destroyed. I'm hoping that people can understand no matter how broken you are you can pick up the pieces and start again.

Clarisa: I am a working mom. I'm a regular human being. I'm a human being that made a huge mistake. I own it. It's healing for both of us.

DiShan: It's not about us trying to drag him under the bus. It's about us. I live to empower other people. I want to be able to relate to women in general. We are able to empower other women and say you can overcome no matter what you are going through.

Stay connected with DiShan and Clarissa at www.thewifeandthewifey.com.