“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” – Alexander Pope

Since mankind has considered making efforts to change life for the better, the concept of forgiveness has been at the top of the list. A few years back, I had the chance to put some physical force behind the weight that we carry when we hold on to too much anger or hate. The instruction was to make a list of all the things that set us off, the things we resented, and the people we held grudges against; then for every one of those we picked up a rock and placed that rock in a back pack. The next step was to carry that bag of hate on a hike up a hill. Needless to say, before we were halfway done we all wanted to empty our bags so we could enjoy the hike. When we finally stopped we were asked to remove the stones one by one and consciously let them go back into the world, so they no longer had the weight to carry us down.

I am so grateful today I do not carry many things in my bag of resentment and as a result I have been able to release some of the biggest stones that were directed at myself. Self-forgiveness has been one of the greatest lessons I have had the chance to be taught. It seems the only way to learn either of these lessons was to practice them on a daily basis, when that is done, it is incredible how quickly my burdens slip away so that I can enjoy what is here and now.

I have found over the last several years of listening to inspirational speakers and reading stories on drastic change, one thing above all that always reminds me of the power of the human spirit, is when I hear incredible stories of forgiveness. I have seen people who have lost their closest loved ones have the courage to forgive those who were most responsible. If they can forgive, maybe I can forgive the world too. 

Affirmation:  I am inspired by my choice to forgive everything and everyone. I am especially excited to forgive myself.

Call to Action:  As you read this today, perhaps a name or image of one or more people, places or things, popped into your consciousness. These people or things no longer serve us, why should we give them power? Take some time to actively release the bonds of your past.  Try writing a letter of forgiveness that you may not need to send. Find some words that you can repeat to build a mental bridge. Ask the universe to take it away. What ever the vehicle, take the action, so the next time you see the word forgive you do not have to lug your whole past up to cloud your present.

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