The Power of Forgiveness
“Forgiveness doesn’t let the other off the hook, doesn’t grant absolution to the perpetrator. It grants freedom to ourselves so we can flourish.” - Habib Sadeghi
This post is particularly hard for me to write because I do not have a good track record of forgiveness. But as one metaphor puts it, holding a grudge is like drinking the poison and expecting the other person to die. You are the only one it’s hurting.
Forgiveness creates space for the future by freeing us from the burdens of our past. It sounds great in theory, but how do you accomplish that. I have a couple exercises up my sleeve.
Let me tell you my favorite thing to do. I call it demonic writing. NO, it’s not “Mean Girls” burn book for mindlessly trashing other people to make yourself feel better about your own shortcomings. It is a way for you to let it all out, don’t think, just write. I invite you to pick up a piece of printer paper and start writing. Write about how the other person wronged you, how their actions make you feel, and what you are struggling to let go of. And write about why you are choosing to forgive them. When you are done, burn the dang thing! (Safely, please!)
Still not convinced letting go is for you? Think of someone you are struggling to forgive. What sensations in your body do you experience? Is it tightness in the jaw, chest, or whole body, or maybe it’s a knot in your stomach? That pinned up anger, resentment, and blame surely doesn’t feel good, does it? In fact, it’s poison, and it’s harming you. We are all made out of energy. Our beings are constantly vibrating and sending out signals to each other and into the universe. This is science, not just woo woo stuff. That block you are feeling is a block for energy, and it is slowing you down! It also sends that ugly negative signal out into the universe.
I don’t know about you, but I want to send the universe and everyone else around me happy, airy, loving vibes (yes, especially the mom taking too long in Chick-fil-A drive-through line!). So let’s practice letting go and forgiving together.
If my demonic writing exercise wasn’t enough, email me and I will send you a free guided meditation for forgiveness. Try it daily for 5 days, I promise you will feel lighter and vibrate higher.