The Choice to Forgive

Do you know anyone who carries a grudge? The most repeated story I grew up with was certain relatives not getting along with each other and then there’s the most celebrated story of Romeo & Juliet. Clint Eastwood produced and acted in the movie “The Unforgiven”. Whole nations remain in conflict because hundreds of years ago someone did something to someone and the tradition of unforgiving must continue. Vengeance, grudges, chip on the shoulder, betrayal, mistrust are all words that just by speaking them give off a dark vibration, lower our energies and have a sharp edge. There is such power in forgiveness. The Australian government authorized a national “I’m sorry day” to the indigenous peoples of their country. August 3 is National Forgiveness Day. In your daily life, slights and insults may not reach epic proportions, but they give us opportunities to forgive. Maybe you shared an idea with a colleague that would effortlessly maximize office efficiency and before you know it that person shared it with the boss and is heralded because of her/his progressive idea; maybe a friend or family member betrayed a trust and now you have to pick up the pieces; maybe you were slighted or ignored at a family gathering or not even told about it because they just forgot about you; maybe you worked in a company that used up all the pension funds and the money you put in it is gone and you’re left with nothing and the list can go on to even more troubling situations where you are challenged to ask for and give forgiveness. By your human nature, vengeance is hardwired into your system so forgiving becomes a conscious willing choice. Not forgiving traps energy that can be directed toward creating and activating something you have been longing to achieve. In my own life, I carried around the nasty taste of unforgiveness for a boss I had while working in a school system many years ago. When she came on board she was greeted wholeheartedly and welcomed warmly. What she ended up doing was to systematically push people out by any means imaginable ultimately fracturing a team that worked incredibly well together. This resulted in people leaving to work elsewhere and causing lots of heart ache and pain. Finally, many years later, I realized how silly it was to carry around this 10 ton burden I imposed upon my self. I forgave her in my heart and mind and most important I forgave myself for carrying this junk around for so many years. What can you do? First: Identify areas in your life that require attention relative to forgiveness. Second: Forgive yourself if you want to hold onto unforgiveness. Third: Forgive yourself if you see areas of your life where you might fall short- purposeful gossip, anger, etc. Make amends if possible; if not then forgive in your heart. rnForgiveness is a powerful step in moving you forward releasing lots of energy that can be used to create what matters most to you. Forgiveness is a huge key to a fulfilled and prosperous life. Where in your life can you be courageous enough to let go of unforgiveness and give yourself permission to forgive?