Forgiving yourself
Have you ever had your child or a good friend do or say something to you that they were later sorry for? Did they ask you to forgive them? If so, you probably did. A little hurt may have lingered, but it was then forgotten.
Have you ever done anything that you were really sorry for? Something that you just couldn't change or make right?
It's so easy to stay in a state of guilt and mentally beat ourselves up. It can even last for years. But is that helpful? I think once we've reached the point where we realise we did the wrong thing, the lesson has been learned and there is no point in dragging it out, or denying ourselves other pleasures until we feel worthy in our own eyes again. As soon as we realise the lesson, we can apply that knowledge and commitment to our lives to make sure we don't repeat it.
Some of us have to overcome some old conditionings first before we can get to that though. It's not exactly easy to get to that point where we can just let go and move on.
Many years ago I listened to the recording of Marianne Williamson's 'A Return To Love', based on her experience with A Course In Miracles. At one point, she recounts trying to forgive a man who stood her up on a date she had been really looking forward to. She repeated over and over "I forgive you Mike, and I release you to the Holy Spirit.."...until she realised that she really did forgive him. I've tried it with other people and it has worked beautifully. You don't have to say "Holy Spirit"... use words that are meaningful to you.
I've been thinking of something I did that I am not proud of that has been lingering in the back of my mind. I decided it was time to let it go so I changed Marianne's mantra and applied it to myself..."I forgive you Annette, and I release this situation...". You know what? It's working! I have carried this with me for a long time. I will never do that again, I knew that a long time ago, but now I feel free of the weight of that hard lesson.
Is there anything you might want to forgive yourself for? Perhaps it's time to do so...
Have you ever done anything that you were really sorry for? Something that you just couldn't change or make right?
It's so easy to stay in a state of guilt and mentally beat ourselves up. It can even last for years. But is that helpful? I think once we've reached the point where we realise we did the wrong thing, the lesson has been learned and there is no point in dragging it out, or denying ourselves other pleasures until we feel worthy in our own eyes again. As soon as we realise the lesson, we can apply that knowledge and commitment to our lives to make sure we don't repeat it.
Some of us have to overcome some old conditionings first before we can get to that though. It's not exactly easy to get to that point where we can just let go and move on.
Many years ago I listened to the recording of Marianne Williamson's 'A Return To Love', based on her experience with A Course In Miracles. At one point, she recounts trying to forgive a man who stood her up on a date she had been really looking forward to. She repeated over and over "I forgive you Mike, and I release you to the Holy Spirit.."...until she realised that she really did forgive him. I've tried it with other people and it has worked beautifully. You don't have to say "Holy Spirit"... use words that are meaningful to you.
I've been thinking of something I did that I am not proud of that has been lingering in the back of my mind. I decided it was time to let it go so I changed Marianne's mantra and applied it to myself..."I forgive you Annette, and I release this situation...". You know what? It's working! I have carried this with me for a long time. I will never do that again, I knew that a long time ago, but now I feel free of the weight of that hard lesson.
Is there anything you might want to forgive yourself for? Perhaps it's time to do so...
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