Forgiving another person is a powerful action that truly allows us to lighten our emotional burden. If you have trouble believing me, think about the bitterness, anger and resentment that comes with holding onto grudges against others. Think about how you feel when you think about those people whom you believe have hurt you. Now think about how you feel whenever you see the person or hear the person's name mentioned. Think about an organization that you believe has did you wrong. You probably notice that you are not feeling happy and relaxed in any of these situations. You feel the opposite--tense, bitter, resentful and angry.
Holding on to our resentment takes away our power. It makes us feel as if we are helpless, powerless victims of other people's actions, which gives all the power to the other people. The longer we hold on to our resentments, then we are making the other person more powerful and giving their actions more power over us. Our lives are becoming smaller because we are focusing so much of our emotional energy on re-living what the other person did to us and how hurt we felt that we are not making the most of our present lives. We are stuck rewinding what happened in the past and being victims all over again.
Ancient spiritual wisdom teaches us that we are all divine spiritual beings whose birthright is to live with unlimited potential. As I thought about this teaching, I realized that I had to forgive anyone whom I had judged as hurting me in any way. It was against my divine nature to be filled with bitterness and resentment toward anyone. The longer I held a grudge against anybody, I was not living up to my divine birthright. I no longer wanted to limit myself and my power any more. As a divine spiritual being, I knew that my life could not be about being a victim of what somebody did to me. My life is larger than anything another person could ever do to me. I no longer wanted to be a victim of what someone said or did to me.
It almost seemed foolish to carry around hurt feelings, anger, and resentment because someone said something hurtful to me or did something hurtful to me. By playing the victim, I was allowing that other person to control me and my life. I was giving my power away to the other person and allowing that person to be successful in their campaign to hurt me. Every scenario always requires two willing participants. Nobody can hurt you or do anything to you unless you are willing on a conscious or unconscious level to be hurt. I had taken a conscious stand not to play the game of being the victim any more. It no longer mattered to me what someone said or did that was hurtful. I simply was not going to keep words or deeds in my mind and allow them to rob me of my power.
Have you forgiven someone whom you believe has hurt you in any way? Know that you are greater than hurtful words or deeds, which have no power over you unless you give your power to them. So what if someone says something unflattering about you. You know that it is not true so why hold onto the anger about it. If someone did something to hurt you, remember that you will survive the hurtful deed. You are strong enough to regroup and go on with your life.
Forgive the other person by reminding yourself that you and your life are bigger than anything another person can do to you. You have a divine reason for living. Carrying the emotional burden of bitterness, anger and resentment are not part of that divine purpose for your life. Remember that we all have a choice whether to be somebody else's victim or let go of any experience through forgiveness. If you hold onto the hurt, bitterness and resentment, then you are giving the power to them. Vow not to entertain other people's negative words and deeds in your mind. Simply remind yourself that you are bigger than anything that anyone can ever do to you. Your life has a greater purpose than be weighed down with resentment and bitterness. Free yourself of all nonsense by forgiving others which means forgetting about whatever they did as soon as it happens and moving on with your life. Simply do not allow yourself to dwell on the misdeed and forgive the person, even if you initially feel hurt. Forgiving other people is the most powerful act that you can do for yourself.
Copyright©2009 Jeannine Robinson All Rights Reserved