This is the final post in the book launch series. As I say in the book, I saved the best for last! Forgiveness has been one of my toughest lessons in my journey. The realization that forgiveness has nothing to do with the other person and everything to do with me, helped me to understand that I wasn’t doing myself any favours holding onto the past. Here is Angelika Baum’s post on forgiveness. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments! ♥ ~ Sandra
If you are looking at forgiveness from the traditional point of view, you might ask, “Why should I be the one to forgive? I was right, the other person was wrong. I was the one who was hurt!”
You might also wonder if by forgiving you are giving them a free license to hurt you or your loved ones again. You might fear opening yourself up to the same hurtful experiences once again.
Traditional Forgiveness says, ‘You have done something to me; you are to blame for how I feel. You wronged me but I forgive you anyways.’ The view is that I am the victim.
New Thought Forgiveness asks, ‘Why have I attracted you into my life? What is there for me to learn and overcome? What gift are you bringing into my life by being a mirror for me? How can I take responsibility for my own feelings and beliefs?’
Forgiveness IS NOT
– condoning or excusing what the other person did
– forgetting that the experience happened
– denying your feelings or saying that you are not supposed to have them
– loving the other person or even choosing to be around them
Forgiveness IS
– letting go of the story that you are a victim
– claiming your true power
– taking back your energy that you have tied up in the past
– taking responsibility for your feelings of hurt, shame, guilt, blame, anger or judgment
– intended solely for your own healing
– an act of self-love and self-respect that sets you free
– “for giving” yourself love, healing, growth, evolution and freedom
“Forgiving others is a gift to yourself, given not because the other deserves pardon, but because you deserve the serenity and joy that comes from releasing resentment and anger, and from embracing universal forgiveness.” (Jonathan Lockwood Huie)
Forgiving does not mean forgetting; it also does not mean loving others. We can choose to forgive but still not love. It simply means taking back the energy that we have tied up with feelings for someone else.
“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner!” (Max Lucado)
In a sense, we have kept the people we have not forgiven imprisoned within us. As their guard, we have bound ourselves together with them, instead of letting them and the incident go.
Forgiveness is the gift that you give yourself, the gift that frees you from the pain that you gave yourself by judging others. Forgiveness is a choice to release, to let go; freeing up the energy that binds and blinds you. Forgiveness completes your own healing. It releases you from energy patterns that could contribute to illness or drain your energy.
An important part of forgiveness is self-forgiveness. Our Inner Critic at times tortures us mercilessly with feelings of guilt, shame or self-blame. It has told us how we have failed and been a disappointment. It is time to claim back that energy as well. Feelings of resentment – no matter whether directed at others or at ourselves – poison us from the inside.
About the author:
Angelika Baum CHt is a belief change coach who uses techniques such as Hypnosis, Psych-K® and Forgiveness Work. Are you ready to let go and forgive? More information at http://greendoorrelaxation.net/services/forgiveness-holoenergetics/