‘Forgive those who didn’t know how to love you. They were teaching you how to love yourself.’ - Ryan Elliott
Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.
If we didn’t make mistakes we would never learn and grow.
Forgiving yourself is loving yourself and is often the first step towards a more loving and positive relationship with yourself and with others.
Forgiveness truly is the key to freedom with any issue in your life.
Nothing anyone has ever done to you has permanent effects unless you hold on to it permanently.
So forgive yourself and others for yesterday’s mistakes.
Forgiveness is the highest form of self interest - because as Buddha wisely once said ‘Holding on and not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.’
This doesn’t mean you’re condoning their behaviour and letting that person back into your life and it’s not about letting the other person win either……..
It just allows the toxic resentment and anger that you’re holding in your heart to stop poisoning you - so that you can get on with your life.
‘To err is human; to forgive, divine.’ - Alexander Pope
It gives your mind a soothing balm……it sets you free.
You forgive yourself to make sure your worst enemy is not living between your own ears.
Whatever happened in the past, you have a choice of how you interpret it and remember, it brought you here today.
You only hurt yourself when you hold on to anger and resentment.
So release yourself so you can forgive and find peace and happiness.
The hatred has to stop somewhere…….what better place to begin than with yourself.
‘The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.’ - Marianne Williamson
Is there something someone did that you cannot forgive?
Try seeing them as an innocent child - close your eyes and speak to their soul. Tell them you now understand they were doing the best they could given all the hurt and pain they endured in their own life…..maybe they were bullied or unloved or invisible or unwanted.
You could say to them in your heart that what they did was not ok - but you know they are so much more than that and you forgive them.
The person’s hurtful action cannot be changed - it’s in the past and there’s absolutely nothing that can be done to change it now……but just ask yourself is what they did worth closing yourself off from all of the amazing grace that’s waiting to shower down on you on the other side of forgiveness……
This person may never change - they are who they are - remember they are also in pain that’s why they often don’t know what they do. They are so wounded - they may not even know this.
People only hurt others because they are hurt themselves.
They often live their lives through their childhood wounds.
So see them through their eyes of their own suffering…..imagine them as a child whose hurting and just lashing out from a place of pain.
We just cannot afford to withhold forgiveness.
Nothing will destroy our own lives more.
‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that.’ - Martin Luther King Jr
Hate will only destroy the hater.
Remember you are not your past.
The only moment is now.
You are perfect.
You are whole.
You are loved just the way you are.
If you can forgive on a soul level that will be enough.
‘Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.’ - Martin Luther King Jr.
As the anger begins to dissipate you will feel a lightness in your body and soul.
If you can embrace forgiveness with no expectation - the result will be even greater space for grace and all good things to come into your life.
Sending all the love and blessings that your beautiful and peaceful heart can hold.
Namaste.
'The thing I hope for and I think about: this first and foremost is a family, and I pray for forgiveness and healing for them.’ - Michelle Obama