"Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them." -Bruce Lee
Do you ever have those sleepless nights when your mind is chattering and the tapes in your head are playing over and over? Most of us do...
Even though I believe I manage my emotions very well, every now and then I have a night where I feel utterly exhausted the next day because I was not resting peacefully; I had unfinished business running through my mind.
Last night was one of those nights for me, and when I woke up this morning I searched my heart for the answer to what has been holding me back from peace and perfect rest. As I laid in bed with my deepest thoughts, the answer came to me in the form of a feeling, an intuitive feeling which is how I tell the difference between my intuition and imagination.
My intuition always feels right, makes sense, and immediately brings forth a need for a call to action.
I know within me there are people and situations I need to forgive. Really forgive. And not only that, but bless them so I can move on from the hurt or disappointment, and the most damaging and peace-robbing emotion of all, anger.
I chose to put that forgiveness in the form of prayer, and truly gave it to God, with all of the sincerity I have inside me. I said it out loud, I named each individual and situation, each unmet dream, each hurt, and forgave out loud, followed by a blessing for each one; and felt it right down to my soul.
As I did so, I felt stress, tension, hurt feelings, and anger leave my being. I then forgave myself, the most important person in my life, for any and all wrongdoing I may have done in ignorance. I am not perfect, but a work in progress. If others cannot acknowledge that they are works in progress as well, they will not be able to practice forgiving others, and themselves, with sincerity.
Forgiving is grace in action. It is for you. It is for us. It is so we can let go of negative emotions that cause us bad feelings, that harm no one but ourselves.
If there is something or someone you need to forgive, get quiet, go deep within, close your eyes, breathe deep, and visualize that. Then one by one, forgive them, it, and yourself out loud and let the hurt and anger go. I promise that if you do this sincerely, your life will change in ways that even your wonderful imagination couldn’t dream up.
You are loved,
Cat XO
July 2012
14 comments
There is one particular peorsn I really struggle to forgive. Every time I have to be around this peorsn I am stressed and tense and prone to slip into ugly talk and thinking. I just keep trying to release this to God and pray for His healing. Slowly over the last several years I’ve felt change and some healing, but it is slow. I continue releasing it to God and seeking His help. Then I grab it back and start over, but I am making progress and letting go of bitterness for longer periods of time. I continue to bring it to the altar.
Cat, you are a very compassionate woman who seems to be helping many of us, I only wish I had found you sooner, but I am now a follower and believer, thanks for all your inspiration and good deeds.
Your word uplift me and give me hope…….thank you
Cat, I love all your inspirations. This one though, was one that really hit home for me at this time in my life. I need to let go and forgive 2 certain people that hurt me so deeply. It’s a struggle I admit. But if God can forgive me then I should be able to forgive others too.
Thank you for your words of hope. You are such a blessing!
Dear Cat: Thank you for your beautiful words. Letting go and forgiving is a tough lesson for us to learn. Thankfully it is a lesson that God has demonstrated in his love for us over and over again. Your description of forgiving those that have hurt you and also forgiving yourself is a wonderful example. You are in my prayers to have continued strength to live a life of love and having the strength and eloquence to share your learnings with all of us. Please also pray for me to be forgiven by someone who is angry with me. God Bless You