In the cartoon strip, "Calvin and Hobbes." Calvin is a little boy with an overactive imagination and a stuffed tiger, Hobbes, who comes to life as his imaginary friend. In one cartoon strip, Calvin turns to his friend Hobbes and says, "I feel bad I called Susie names and hurt her feelings. I'm sorry I did that." 
Hobbes replies, "Maybe you should apologize to her." 

Calvin thinks about it for a moment and then responds, "I keep hoping there's a less obvious solution." 

Too many of us keep looking for an alternative to forgiveness!

From "Taking the Risk Out of Dying," by Lee Griess