My Definition
“Life is an adventure in forgiveness.” - Norman Cousins
I forgive you. Will your forgive me? When you read either one of the previous sentences, I bet the first thought in your head was “what did they do wrong or what did I do wrong?” The traditional thinking is that forgiveness involves some type of confrontation to ask for or grant forgiveness and it does, but there is another reason for forgiveness that most miss.
The other intent, and in my opinion the most important, is to “release.” You are releasing internal baggage and allowing your spirit to be free and at peace. Just think for a minute about the things you might be holding on to. When I was seeing Jamie, my things were what I thought were past wrongs that people had done to me. Some went back years and involved friends, family, girlfriends, business associates, etc. I recall taking the time to write down all the “wrongs” I was holding. I’ve seen it referred to by some authors as a forgiveness inventory. It’s a list of all the things you are holding onto that are impacting your life, and in most instances you do not see the detrimental impact it is having on you. Here is a quick test though.
Think about the last time you had harsh words with your boyfriend/girlfriend or just a close friend, or reread one of those flame emails or texts. I bet you just conjured up those feelings and images of the fight or event and even felt some of the same feelings. You just relived the event. It does not feel good does it? When you get that feeling, you know it’s time for forgiveness for you and your spirit’s sake. To keep your spirit healthy, you have to forgive and release. Holding on to the stuff just makes you ill in all areas of your life.
Once you’ve made up your list people, living or not and I had both too, you need to take the time to go through each one and take the time to forgive and release.
“Life is an adventure in forgiveness.” - Norman Cousins
I forgive you. Will your forgive me? When you read either one of the previous sentences, I bet the first thought in your head was “what did they do wrong or what did I do wrong?” The traditional thinking is that forgiveness involves some type of confrontation to ask for or grant forgiveness and it does, but there is another reason for forgiveness that most miss.
The other intent, and in my opinion the most important, is to “release.” You are releasing internal baggage and allowing your spirit to be free and at peace. Just think for a minute about the things you might be holding on to. When I was seeing Jamie, my things were what I thought were past wrongs that people had done to me. Some went back years and involved friends, family, girlfriends, business associates, etc. I recall taking the time to write down all the “wrongs” I was holding. I’ve seen it referred to by some authors as a forgiveness inventory. It’s a list of all the things you are holding onto that are impacting your life, and in most instances you do not see the detrimental impact it is having on you. Here is a quick test though.
Think about the last time you had harsh words with your boyfriend/girlfriend or just a close friend, or reread one of those flame emails or texts. I bet you just conjured up those feelings and images of the fight or event and even felt some of the same feelings. You just relived the event. It does not feel good does it? When you get that feeling, you know it’s time for forgiveness for you and your spirit’s sake. To keep your spirit healthy, you have to forgive and release. Holding on to the stuff just makes you ill in all areas of your life.
Once you’ve made up your list people, living or not and I had both too, you need to take the time to go through each one and take the time to forgive and release.
Here’s a Rod Pulls Back The Curtain Moment - I came to realize when I made my list that I needed to forgive my Mother (me really). She had not done anything wrong, but I was upset with her for dying. I realized I was only hurting myself by being selfish by holding on to her passing rather than releasing and enjoying her spirit being around and with me all the time.
The process takes place with you and you alone and in a quiet location where you can concentrate on freeing your spirit. As mentioned earlier, it does not require a confrontation as the forgiveness is totally and 100% for you. I can tell you from my personal experiences; it hurts reliving the events from the past. For me, I remember some quiet times where I was clinching my fists so tight against my chest and gritting my teeth and crying to the point I thought my heart and head were going to explode, but when I pulled my hand away from my chest and opened it to symbolize letting go, the crying and gritting my teeth stopped. When I crossed the names off my list, I could genuinely feel a release happening inside of me. I came to understand the real definition of forgiveness.
Action Item – What are you holding? Do certain people and associated events still invoke pain and discomfort? It’s time to start making that list and working on it.
Positive Energy & Prayers
My Uncle Robert, Cousin Vicki’s Dad, was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Please shoot him lots of positive energy and keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery. 88 sets of prayers and positive energy will work wonders.
I’m asking the group to send some positive energy and prayers my way too. I’m having an unplanned surgical procedure tomorrow morning. It’s nothing life threatening and should be done in 30 minutes. Nora, thank you for being there for me, is dropping me off at the hospital tomorrow morning at 6:30, and the procedure is at 7:30. I’d really like to feel that big wave of positive goodness from y’all right before they knock me out at 7:30. I wanna see the look on the Dr’s face when he sees me smiling large right before. That’ll give him something to ponder on. Thanks.
Positive News
Bdays
Happy Birthday, Eric.
Happy Birthday Wandi Pearl.:)
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