Forgiveness Will Set Me Free . . . Updated: April 25, 2017
Forgiveness was one of the first life-skill tools I learned to use, more than 30 years ago. Somehow, I realized then that it was the only way for me to unload the negative burden of hurt, anger, blame, judgment, and resentment that I felt and carried within me related to my childhood years. Forgiveness would become the avenue through which I could heal my wounds from the past . . . I could heal this part of my wounded Inner Child.
At that time, I had somehow arrived at a place where I realized that those negative feelings were harmful to me and my well-being and holding on to them would only keep me feeling badly . . . but it would not change anything that I experienced. I became ready, willing, and available to let those feelings go and make space for something better . . . something that would feel better. So, I searched for, found, and tried different ways to apply and practice Forgiveness.
I learned, that even when one is as ready as I was, 100% forgiveness usually doesn’t happen all at once . . . instead it is a process over time; and there is a certain amount of repetition of 'release' that is required. Sometimes, even with diligent forgiving practices we may never get to 100%, but that’s ok. 100% Forgiveness is not necessary for dramatic positive shifts to occur.
What happened with me was that I was able to release the biggest part of the burden that I was carrying almost instantly once I decided to forgive and I intentionally started the practice of Letting Go. In time as I continued this practice . . . I naturally released more and more of it. I learned to Accept any remaining residuals as being ok and I was committed to continue to work on it until I would be satisfied with where I am.
Every once in a while even now, when a little judgment creeps into a conversation I might be having about my childhood years . . . I am more aware of it . . . either as I am talking about it or as I reflect back on it. I consciously accept myself and my experiences from those years, I forgive myself for any judgment that I am still holding, and I forgive anyone else involved. Then I release it and I let it go. These days I always end with: All is Well . . . I love you !
At that time, I had somehow arrived at a place where I realized that those negative feelings were harmful to me and my well-being and holding on to them would only keep me feeling badly . . . but it would not change anything that I experienced. I became ready, willing, and available to let those feelings go and make space for something better . . . something that would feel better. So, I searched for, found, and tried different ways to apply and practice Forgiveness.
I learned, that even when one is as ready as I was, 100% forgiveness usually doesn’t happen all at once . . . instead it is a process over time; and there is a certain amount of repetition of 'release' that is required. Sometimes, even with diligent forgiving practices we may never get to 100%, but that’s ok. 100% Forgiveness is not necessary for dramatic positive shifts to occur.
What happened with me was that I was able to release the biggest part of the burden that I was carrying almost instantly once I decided to forgive and I intentionally started the practice of Letting Go. In time as I continued this practice . . . I naturally released more and more of it. I learned to Accept any remaining residuals as being ok and I was committed to continue to work on it until I would be satisfied with where I am.
Every once in a while even now, when a little judgment creeps into a conversation I might be having about my childhood years . . . I am more aware of it . . . either as I am talking about it or as I reflect back on it. I consciously accept myself and my experiences from those years, I forgive myself for any judgment that I am still holding, and I forgive anyone else involved. Then I release it and I let it go. These days I always end with: All is Well . . . I love you !
What I've learned about Forgiveness !
Many people, as did I, incorrectly believe that Forgiveness is about releasing someone else from Accountability or Responsibility of wrong-doing . . . and therefore they resist forgiving; they don't want to forgive. But Forgiveness is not about someone else at all ! It is all about me and only me ! !
It is about clearing my Heart and my Soul of the Negative Energy that I am holding within my body and my mind, usually in the form of Anger, Resentment, Blame, Animosity, or even Hatred.
Forgiveness is necessary for Healing . . . it is required in order to release this heavy burden; and I can Choose to do so if I give up my Right and/or my sense of Responsibility to hold on to it. When I Choose to release it, I make Space for new and better Possibilities to enter.
The Power Of Forgiveness Is Liberating – it cuts the emotional cord between me and whom I am forgiving and thus - It Sets me Free ! It removes the darkness within me and allows space for the light to come in.
It removes the obstructions to the good that wants to flow into my live.
It dissolves the shackles that keep me bound to anger, blame, and other low vibrations.
Forgiveness is Not easy – or everyone would be doing it and . . . because Forgiveness is all about me, Direct Contact with whom I choose to forgive is not required in order for it to take place.
It is easier to Forgive strangers than family or friends due to the betrayal factor involved with people that I trusted . . . and often it is easier to Forgive everyone else than it is to do so for myself.
It becomes easier to Forgive, others and myself, if I can see and accept, that everyone is always doing the best that they can from their own Level of Awareness.
Forgiveness does not mean that:
I condone someone’s bad behavior !
I do not hold someone accountable for their bad behavior . . . or that
I stay a participant in a negative situation or relationship !
Quite the opposite . . . but what it does mean is that I will Let Go of the Negative Charge associated with the person, situation, or event; so that I can move forward with more Peace in my Heart.
Forgiveness requires sacrifice – I must give up being a Victim !
Forgiveness requires me to consider all participants – myself and whoever else is involved.
Forgiveness is a Journey – it takes Time.
Forgiveness requires a lot of Support.
Forgiveness is a Choice – no one can or should try to make me forgive anyone.
Forgiveness is Learned – I can choose to learn how to forgive effectively if . . .
I am completely open, ready, willing, and available to it ! No conditions . . . either I am or I am not.
Many people, as did I, incorrectly believe that Forgiveness is about releasing someone else from Accountability or Responsibility of wrong-doing . . . and therefore they resist forgiving; they don't want to forgive. But Forgiveness is not about someone else at all ! It is all about me and only me ! !
It is about clearing my Heart and my Soul of the Negative Energy that I am holding within my body and my mind, usually in the form of Anger, Resentment, Blame, Animosity, or even Hatred.
Forgiveness is necessary for Healing . . . it is required in order to release this heavy burden; and I can Choose to do so if I give up my Right and/or my sense of Responsibility to hold on to it. When I Choose to release it, I make Space for new and better Possibilities to enter.
The Power Of Forgiveness Is Liberating – it cuts the emotional cord between me and whom I am forgiving and thus - It Sets me Free ! It removes the darkness within me and allows space for the light to come in.
It removes the obstructions to the good that wants to flow into my live.
It dissolves the shackles that keep me bound to anger, blame, and other low vibrations.
Forgiveness is Not easy – or everyone would be doing it and . . . because Forgiveness is all about me, Direct Contact with whom I choose to forgive is not required in order for it to take place.
It is easier to Forgive strangers than family or friends due to the betrayal factor involved with people that I trusted . . . and often it is easier to Forgive everyone else than it is to do so for myself.
It becomes easier to Forgive, others and myself, if I can see and accept, that everyone is always doing the best that they can from their own Level of Awareness.
Forgiveness does not mean that:
I condone someone’s bad behavior !
I do not hold someone accountable for their bad behavior . . . or that
I stay a participant in a negative situation or relationship !
Quite the opposite . . . but what it does mean is that I will Let Go of the Negative Charge associated with the person, situation, or event; so that I can move forward with more Peace in my Heart.
Forgiveness requires sacrifice – I must give up being a Victim !
Forgiveness requires me to consider all participants – myself and whoever else is involved.
Forgiveness is a Journey – it takes Time.
Forgiveness requires a lot of Support.
Forgiveness is a Choice – no one can or should try to make me forgive anyone.
Forgiveness is Learned – I can choose to learn how to forgive effectively if . . .
I am completely open, ready, willing, and available to it ! No conditions . . . either I am or I am not.
How do I know that I have forgiven ?
I know it when I am not triggered . . . when there are no negative feelings that arise in me when whatever it is, enters my awareness. I have forgiven when I feel neutral, peaceful, calm . . . or better.
I know it when I am not triggered . . . when there are no negative feelings that arise in me when whatever it is, enters my awareness. I have forgiven when I feel neutral, peaceful, calm . . . or better.
Listen to the wisdom of Delores Cannon on
How and Why to Forgive and Let go
How and Why to Forgive and Let go
Forgiveness does not change the facts . . . it only changes how those facts affect your life !
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Jesus is the Master Teacher of 'True Forgiveness' !
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Tools and Techniques for Practicing 'Forgiveness'
What if we would like to create this change and Forgive in this way but we are unable to do it ?
No worries . . . as long as there is commitment and willingness, we can get there with Practice.
During our Practice, we do our best to ‘Fake It 'Til We Make It !’
In other words, we pretend. We create and hold a Vision of how Good it Feels to be in this State of Forgiveness ! Not how Good it Will Feel when I get there, but how Free and Light I Feel being there . . . Now, in this moment ! ! !
No worries . . . as long as there is commitment and willingness, we can get there with Practice.
During our Practice, we do our best to ‘Fake It 'Til We Make It !’
In other words, we pretend. We create and hold a Vision of how Good it Feels to be in this State of Forgiveness ! Not how Good it Will Feel when I get there, but how Free and Light I Feel being there . . . Now, in this moment ! ! !
Affirmation:
I am now Completely open, ready, willing, and available to Forgive anyone, including myself, for any perceived wrong-doing !
I am now Completely open, ready, willing, and available to Forgive anyone, including myself, for any perceived wrong-doing !
Forgiveness Exercise
Sit in a quiet room – uninterrupted
Sit in a position of power – spine straight, shoulders back
Relax the body . . . with the mind softly and consciously opening the area around the heart
Gently bring before the mind’s eye the image of the individual whom you wish to forgive
Now, mentally broadcast a message of forgiveness to him or her, such as:
I am willing to forgive you now !
What you did (or did not do) no longer determines my destiny . . .
Your actions no longer have any power over me !
I acknowledge . . . and I am trying to understand that
you were doing the best that you could, with your level of awareness.
I choose to forgive you . . . and by doing so
I cut the strings of negativity that have kept us connected.
I set you free . . . and in doing so I set myself free !
All is well between our Spirits.
You are now free . . . and I am now free !
And so it is. (Amended from a process by Michael Bernard Beckwith)
Sit in a quiet room – uninterrupted
Sit in a position of power – spine straight, shoulders back
Relax the body . . . with the mind softly and consciously opening the area around the heart
Gently bring before the mind’s eye the image of the individual whom you wish to forgive
Now, mentally broadcast a message of forgiveness to him or her, such as:
I am willing to forgive you now !
What you did (or did not do) no longer determines my destiny . . .
Your actions no longer have any power over me !
I acknowledge . . . and I am trying to understand that
you were doing the best that you could, with your level of awareness.
I choose to forgive you . . . and by doing so
I cut the strings of negativity that have kept us connected.
I set you free . . . and in doing so I set myself free !
All is well between our Spirits.
You are now free . . . and I am now free !
And so it is. (Amended from a process by Michael Bernard Beckwith)
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This little prayer can help release the resistance of un-forgiveness. Say it out loud and 'feel' that it is so ! |
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These Affirmations allow for forgiveness of others as well as for ourselves. |
