"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
Forgiveness of another’s transgressions is very difficult. When I’m struggling with the concept, I think of forgiveness like this: Forgiveness is giving up on the hope that the past could be any different. That makes it easier for me to truly let it go, because it is in the past and there isn’t one thing that can be done to change what happened. By harboring negative feelings inside, the only one being hurt by them is ME and it makes no sense to keep those feelings inside. Like I said, not easy to do but this concept has helped me in the past. Thanks for all you do, Cat!
Someone once said that when you FOR-give, you are giving ahead of time. You are giving your grace to someone ahead of time to allow for all shortcomings to not come against you or the other person. Forgiveness is just as you said – it’s for everyone and it’s a PRE giving to someone else. I love your words for July because they really do show that when you forgive, it’s for everyone involved. It gives away the feelings of discontent and allows for love to flow through. God bless you for sharing this.
Every day I read my Daily Word and have been doing so for 16 years now. Cat your inspitration reminds me so much of the same and I bless you for sharing. My motto from word is Let go and Let God and I do this everytime I feel challenged. I have met two major challenges in my life and I am still here and intend to be for a very long time thanks for all the words of inspiration I have received. Thank you.
Love your words! Beautiful
This was the perfect timing for me. Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony. I am a Pastoral Counselor and (and former model :)) and my mind does not shut off. I too need to forgive and be a grace giver to those who have hurt me.
God bless you! You are an inspiration and complete JOY!
Debbi <3