Selected Forgiveness Articles

I am happy to share the first video in my new inspirational series:
Live your exceptional life™ -Michele

We all leave the warmth and security of our homes every day whether it is to go to work, school, do errands or visit a friend.  While the reasons vary from one day to the next there is one common denominator and that is the assumption that when we leave our homes we will be returning to them later in the day.  In most cases, this is a safe assumption and we are able to come and go throughout the day returning safely to our house, family and lives at the end of each day.

However, the reality is that while we would like to believe that we will always be safe, life does happen and there are people that wake up in the morning, drink a cup of coffee, read the paper, leave the house and never return.  People lose their lives every day and the reasons can be many including a sudden heart attack or a tragic car accident.  Regardless of the reasons, it is important to remember that life is short and we truly don’t know what each day will bring.

I am not writing this to be negative but instead to serve as an important reminder that life is fragile and we need to embrace every moment given every single day.  I have thought about how often I have rushed out of my home in the morning leaving dirty dishes on the counter, a mess in the bathroom, unfinished projects and most important without saying goodbye to a loved one because I was running late.  Like most people, I fall prey to the illusion that I will be returning home later in the day and can clean up the messes, finish the projects and have quality time with the people I love later.

In the end, the messy house and unfinished projects are not that important but I challenge all of us to think hard about the importance of our loved ones and unfinished business with those we love.  How often have we left for work without a goodbye, a hug or saying “I love you”?  How often have we left angry and full of resentment refusing to forgive or resolve an issue with someone we truly care about?

My guess is that this is something we can all relate to and have experienced at some point in our lives.  Remember that there are never any guarantees on any given day and that while we need to think positive and live each day to the fullest we must also appreciate the blessings in our lives and those that we love.  Don’t take that chance of having wished you had told someone that you loved them or that you forgave them only to have it be too late.  I can promise you that no argument or those few minutes you saved by rushing out the door will be worth it if life steps in and someone doesn’t come home.

Life is so precious and each and every day that we are given is truly a miracle so please live life to the fullest, practice gratitude, learn to forgive, spread kindness every chance you get and most of all love others.  It will make each day so much better for everyone around and we can leave our homes knowing that regardless of what the day may hold we have truly lived our best life!

In Peace-

Michele

Forgiveness may be good for your health, according to the January issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.  While thoughts of pairing forgiveness with health related issues may seem foreign there is mounting evidence that there is in fact, a strong correlation between the two.

Studies have been done showing that the ability to forgive can reduce blood pressure, muscle tension as well as  feelings of anger, depression and anxiety.   A lack of forgiveness and the inability to let go of a past hurt can impact lives in ways people don’t realize.  Forgiving can improve lives on many levels emotionally, physically and spiritually.

With that being said, to forgive another or to forgive ourselves is not always an easy thing to do.  Forgiveness is difficult and it is a process that can take time.  There are steps that need to take place to ultimately forgive and find the peace needed to protect our physical and emotional health.

One of the most important steps in the journey of forgiving is to be able to acknowledge the hurt, pain and anger felt.  These are feelings we experience based on either the actions of another or on our own.  It is also imperative that we face the situation with honesty and objectivity.  If our vision on what truly happened and why is impaired it can make it very difficult to forgive.

Give yourself time and recognize that healing from most hurt requires time and change.  Healing does not occur overnight and there are situations that we must learn to change and be able to view things in a different manner.  Perhaps there was something happening in a person’s life when the hurt or pain happened.  This can help us to separate the incident from the personal pain we feel.

At times it is helpful to hear or say the words “I FORGIVE YOU” to start the healing process.  These three simple words are very powerful and often times a key catalyst to bring peace back into our lives and hearts.  Forgiving can also bring a renewed sense of hope and happiness to our daily lives and the freedom it can give is liberating!

Remember, forgiveness is a topic that creates a bond amongst all people and all nations.  We all struggle with it at some point in life and if we can recognize how destructive it can be to our emotional well-being and physical health we may find it easier to do.  Forgive for health and to bring that joy back to your life; your heart, body and mind will thank you for it!

In Peace-

Michele

How many of us find ourselves stuck in life because we are only looking at our lives through the rear view mirror?  I went to the movie “Love Happens” tonight and the movie touched me in several ways causing me to really think about what is truly important in life and I must admit that a few tears were shed.

There is a scene in the movie where a man is struggling with letting go of the guilt he is feeling over his son’s death and it is very clear that he has remained stuck in the past unable to truly forgive himself, relieve the guilt and move beyond the pain of the past and the loss suffered.  The main character Burke reminds him that he is living his life looking in the rear view mirror and that if he cannot look forward he will remain stuck in the past which is filled with so much pain and regret.

This scene really moved me because I could relate to this concept on so many levels.  I have spent much of my life looking in the rear view mirror unable to forgive myself for mistakes made or for losses suffered.  The result was a life filled with pain, regret and negative patterns that kept me stuck and anchored to the past and prevented me from living true to my heart and enjoying each and every gift of “today” given.

This is not a rare scene and unfortunately far too many people are struggling with these same things and are unable to look at the beauty of life in front of them because they are too busy looking in that rear view mirror.  I challenge all of you to really take a step back and be honest with yourselves.  How often are you looking back instead of forward and how stuck do you feel?

The good news is that there is hope to change this pattern and it can begin with the lessons learned in forgiveness.  To forgive and let go of pain from the past can open your world to so much freedom, peace and joy.  I know all too well that this is not an easy task but if you can find the courage to do it; the rewards are priceless and can change your life.

While the rear view mirror can be necessary at times keep in mind that what is most important is what lies in front of you and what that something is often depends on you!

In Peace-

Michele

How many times have you struggled with trying to let go of something from your past? Perhaps it is a poor choice made, a betrayel or hurtful words said. Regardless of the situation it is hanging around like a heavy anchor and a huge weight you can’t get rid of.

Letting go of the past can be one of the most difficult challenges faced on life leaving us feeling exhausted, stressed, overwhelmed and stuck in a place that does not feel very good.

This is more common than you think so remember you are not alone. While people may not always talk about it, most have encountered the daunting task of letting go at least once. The good news is that the past does not have to define you. It is important to recognize that you can learn from the past but you don’t have to live in it or drown in it.

Everyone has a past; it is where we come from. The past can offer a wealth of infinite wisdom, knowledge and insight even if painful if you can learn to forgive.

The inability to forgive others and to forgive ourselves is often at the core of why it is tough to let go of the past. While you may not forget, forgiveness is critical to moving beyond the pain, anger and regret that can keep you stuck.

Forgiveness can be an amazing gift that can empower, inspire and lead us to a place of peace and new beginnings. I know all too well that the path to forgiveness is not an easy one. It can be a long and difficult journey but I can tell you it it a rewarding one.

In peace-
Michele

The act of forgiving is not prejudice to age, sex, social status, race or culture. Forgiveness is a common thread that weaves its way through every society and spans the globe every single day and in essence creates a common bond within the human spirit.

However, as common as the concept of forgiving is to people it is also one of the most complex and challenging things to actually do in the journey of life. If you think about it, it is probably safe to say that every person will at some point in life be faced with the difficult task of forgiving another or in forgiving themselves. Yet as common as forgiving is it is not always something that is easily done for most people.
Why is forgiving others and at times ourselves so hard and why does it often take so long to forgive when it could make such a positive difference in our daily lives? That is a good question and one that I believe most people struggle to answer.
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