Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Forgiveness - A Path to Letting Go


Let's just admit it. Forgiveness is hard. When we feel wronged or victimized by another it can take over our entire being. We can begin to identify with this new victimhood more than any other trait or talent we possess. It becomes a coat we wear and show to anyone who will pay attention to us. We all have our sad story to tell.

Eventually this starts to eat away at us though. We may find ourselves in conversations with loved ones and inevitably bringing the talk back to our own tragedy. It can become our main way of reaching out to and communicating with others. And if all we do about these transgressions is complain and commiserate, we will no doubt be met with an "Ugh! Just let it go!" at some point or another.

Letting go can be easier said than done. We may feel that our transgressor does not deserve forgiveness, that what has been perpetrated against us is simply inexcusable! We must remember that famous saying though: "Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.". There is empowerment in letting go. We no longer allow a person or an event to claim our power. And even though what was done may not be forgiven, the person who carried it out can be.

We can never know another person's whole story and why he/she acts the way they do. Taking this knowledge, we can begin to see that inevitably our perpetrator has acted out of pain and out of not feeling loved. This does not mean that we do not seek justice, it simply means that we love enough to see the the possibility of goodness in others.

Forgiveness is hard, but when applied, it can be one of the most powerful and transformational things you do for yourself! Begin to live in your own power. Love, live and forgive.

Danielle Boonstra
http://twitter.com/LiveWealth

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