FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is something that we all need to do. I invite you to think about people in your life that you haven’t forgiven. Do feel resentment towards those people because they hurt you? Do you need to forgive yourself? I have found that it’s hard to forgive myself. Is forgiving easy? It may not be. You may ask how do I forgive? Truth, we are all human and we make mistakes.
You may ask yourself why should I forgive? What do I get out of forgiving someone that hurt me? Is it my ego that is stopping me?
If we don’t forgive, we resent and when we resent we are poisoning ourselves by holding onto the past. This resentment is TOXIC! If you are having a hard time forgiving a person or yourself, perhaps you can say, “I am willing to forgive. I don’t know how but I am willing.”
Perhaps the person who you have not forgiven isn’t in your life anymore. That is okay; your forgiveness is still needed. I believe if there are deep wounds, you will not forget them but you can forgive. The person that is hurting is YOU!
Through forgiveness you are releasing the pain and the past, which no longer serves your highest good. Forgiveness brings you freedom. It’s freedom from being controlled by the past. It’s freedom from the emotional ties to that person. It’s freedom from the continual inner conflict of bitterness and hate. It’s freedom to become whole and enjoy the fullness of life. Does this sound like something you want in your life? I certainly do!
Until you forgive yourself, until you forgive the person, until you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward. I know that it takes time. It takes courage. It takes strength. It takes digging deep. In practicing forgiveness you are removing the armor around your heart.
I invite you to ponder these questions. Go deep with them. Sit with them. Feel them. Breathe through them. It may not be painful but remember the hurt is already done. You have survived it. You are still here. It’s time to forgive and let it go!
Here is an exercise that you can start the process of forgiving. I invite you to journal. Journaling is a powerful tool. This exercise a great way to release old hurts from the past and to heal through forgiveness Sit in a place where there are no distractions. Where you can be by yourself and go through this process. Maybe put on some soothing music or just take some deep breathes. You can meditate before writing. Do what feels right for you. Bring yourself into the now. Continue to Breathe. When you are ready, you can begin journaling.
Make a list of people who you have not forgiven. Take your time. As you write you may feel uncomfortable. It’s okay, go with it. Unlock the door from the prison you have been in and confront those who hurt you, and who you have hurt. You don’t have to do it all in one sitting. Just begin the process. Be compassionate with yourself. This is a courageous thing you are doing. The reward, FREEDOM!
Before you write, try to visualize the person and the situation. Begin the writing process by telling the person what they did or said that hurt you. What you did or said that hurt others. What you said or did that hurt you. Take as long as you need. It’s in the writing that you are releasing. Don’t over think it, just stream write. Let it all out!
Once you feel complete and you are ready, tell the person that you forgive them. Forgive yourself. Write it down. Say it out loud. Perhaps you can tell the person. Maybe you can write a letter and then burn it. The past will keep you hostage if you don’t forgive!!! Release it!
Did you like this exercise? What did this exercise feel like? Did you feel anything in your body? What emotions came up? Feel it all!
When you forgive, you give yourself the gift of emotional, spiritual, and mental freedom. You heal yourself.
THIS IS AN AMAZING GIFT FOR YOU!!!
Written by Natasha Burke, March 3, 2017