Oh yes I did! Today I’m talking about forgiveness! Following is a post I wrote for my work’s facebook page. I want to share it here as well. My love and peace to all my readers…(and I’m working on forgiving the not-so-perfect spacing of this blog. Anyone who can help, email me!)
(The above pic I took of my niece when we were in Florida right after the Orlando shootings. I didn’t see it at the time, but notice the “Stop the Hate” newspaper’s in the background of my beautifully happy niece. That face could rid the world of all hate if the world allowed it.)
Let’s talk about forgiveness. Those who know me well know I always quote author and spiritual teacher, Marianne Williamson. Marianne says that any therapist you see should be talking to you about who you are not forgiving.
Why? Well, there is now plenty of research out there citing the physical, mental, and spiritual health benefits of forgiveness. Those in the spiritual world have always spoken of forgiveness, but as our society is starting to embrace a more holistic outlook on health, new research is coming out showing that forgiveness helps us in ways beyond what we previously knew.
“Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress. And research points to an increase in the forgiveness-health connection as you age.”
Wow, who knew that forgiveness could lower your cholesterol?
There is a lot going on in our personal lives, in society, and in the world as a whole right now. There is much that needs to be forgiven.
Of course we all know by now that forgiveness does not mean that you like what the person did. It does not mean you approve of someone’s actions. It just means that you are going to choose not to be bound to it any longer. You are not going to give it power over you anymore. Forgiveness frees you from a life bound to hate, illness, and judgment. Doesn’t freedom sound nice about now?
(my puppy Prudence always forgives! ;))
Forgiveness is not always easy. Sometimes it can be done a little at a time like layers of an onion. Many times we need to start with forgiving ourselves.
How do you start? Try sending love to the person you need to forgive. I am serious here. You can do this in a meditation, on a walk, or while you are doing just about anything! Just conjure up some love in your heart and send it out to that person. Eventually, you will feel a release and you will be able to see that person a little differently, maybe even as an innocent child of God.
So let’s get serious here. I am not going to beat around the bush. Let’s get brave. There is a presidential election coming up. It is a time of intense energy in our country. It is a time of a lot of passion, but also a lot of passion turned to hatred. I am going to steal a suggestion from Marianne Williamson again and give you a challenge. I challenge you to send love to the presidential candidate you are NOT voting for. Send the candidate you do not want to win love. Because no matter what, if you follow any sort of spiritual or religious path, that candidate is also an innocent child of God.
Imagine if the whole country did this. I think if the whole country was able to send love to the presidential candidate they are not voting for, we would be on our way to peace. That is the country for which we long. That is the country that is waiting for us.
The metaphysical text A Course in Miracles says the only way to God is through forgiveness. Forgiveness is a constant process during life on this planet. So ask yourself today, who am I not forgiving? Send that person love, and imagine the world you can live in if you just forgave, a world of inner and outer peace.
Peace, Love, and Forgiveness,
Elizabeth
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