These days of forgiveness center in no small part around the י"ג מידות הרחמים, the Thirteen attributes of faith. Tapping into the meta-energy of these Midos draws down a level of forgiveness beyond that which we deserve.
One of those Midos is עובר על פשע, Hashem passes over sin. What does it mean to pass over wrong-doing? Would it not simply be better to erase the sin altogether?
As we know, Hashem is pumping life-force into creation at every moment. The universe is not on autopilot. It does not exist in this second just because it did a second ago. Rather, המחדש בכל יום תמיד, Hashem is constantly willing and re-willing all of creation to continue to be. The flow of Shefa, of life force, is renewed constantly. Therefore the giving of life to any given creature is a conscious Divine decision and not a matter of course.
R' Moshe Cordovero famously writes in Tomer Devorah that when we contemplate this idea it forces us to well up with intense gratitude to Hashem. Why? Because even in the very moments that we do Aveiros and transgress Hashem's Ratzon, He still continues to give us life. Hashem wills us to be and allows our existence even as we rebel.
The Gra explains that this is the meaning of עובר על פשע. Hashem passes over, or jumbles the word פשע and allows it to be שפע - life force. Even as we sin, He gives us life.
When we meditated on the tremendous amount of mercy and love that Hashem has for us it is only natural that it should inspire within us to come close to Him in return.
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