Forgiving Frees Us
When someone wrongs or hurts you in some way, how does it feel inside? When you wrong or hurt someone, how does it feel? And, how does it feel to forgive another? Or, ask for forgiveness?
In this week’s episode we are diving into forgiveness. In our Western culture people who forgive are often seen as soft and weak. I’ve grown to understand and appreciate that people who forgive are brave, strong, and loving.
To set the stage, I share how forgiveness changed my life. It wasn’t easy at first and it took me a long time. Forgiveness is facing the truth of our suffering, opening to it, and putting it out where we can see it clearly. Hiding from the hurt that we have suffered only perpetuates it.
Being willing to forgive—to see that forgiveness is here inside of us—opens the heart and allows compassion to flow — for ourselves and for whomever has hurt us.
Sometimes, forgiveness allows us to re-establish relationship with whomever has hurt us and at other times not. After forgiveness, letting go of relationship can allow us to live our lives forward.
What happens when we don’t forgive? We keep ourselves in prison—ever tormented by some past action that caused us pain. We cling to harmful emotions like judgment, revenge, and hate. We keep ourselves from living our lives because forever stuck in the past, we are not present in the now.
We also talk about asking for forgiveness when we have hurt someone. The reality is that we have all hurt someone at one time or another. And, we can ask for forgiveness and show in our speech and actions that we are truly sorry and commit to living a life of alignment with our values
Here’s what is true. There is nothing that cannot be forgiven and there is no one undeserving of forgiveness.
Forgiveness ends our suffering. It aligns us with our dignity and creates harmony in our lives. It allows us to let go of the pain we carry.
This week I invite you to both forgive and seek forgiveness to lighten your burden and let joy flow.
I’m grateful that you stopped by to listen and I am also grateful for the people behind the scenes who make this podcast possible.
All the members of the podcast;
Gorgias Romero for original music, audio engineering and production;
Bill Rafferty for technical web support;
Allie Allen for logo and podcast cover design; and
Margaret Haas for announcing the show.
Resources/Credits:
Jack Kornfield, 12 Principles of Forgiveness, The Greater Good Science Center, a video located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-RBTd23RN0
DISCLAIMER:
The content in the podcast and on this webpage is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical or health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and guidance of your health professional.
