Forgiveness of self

Forgiveness has the power to change not only you but also the one you forgive. It is a powerful force, forgiveness, it can change hearts, minds and souls, nations can be changed and the world can move on, all because of forgiveness.

Who would have thought such a simple word could do so much.

If we look at the major religions of the world, forgiveness is a key teaching, Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins, and in doing so, He has changed the world for all times.

Can we have that big of an effect? I would say yes we do, and we have proof of it in our world.  Gondi had to forgive his persecutors in his peaceful protest or the protest would not have been peaceful, his heart would have been too heavy with hate.  Nelson Mandela had to forgive to be an effective leader, and Pope John Paul II forgave the man who tried to kill him. Each of the people represents just a few examples of the power of forgiveness, and each has changed the world we live in today.

We each carry the same power; the power is there for us, if we choose to use it.

So how do we forgive others? The word is simple to say, but extremely hard to mean. The words “I forgive you” have a deep meaning and extreme power, but that power is only seen or felt when the meaning is true and deeply spoken.

To forgive others we have to start someplace, and the place to start is with yourself, we must be willing to truly forgive ourselves before you can even think about forgiving others. We cannot give to others what we do not have already. So if you have no forgiveness for yourself, how are you expected to give forgiveness to others?

Think about that for a few, take your time, let your mind get around that concept, let it sink in to the deepest parts of your heart, and feel the truth of it. It may take some time, minutes, hours, days or even weeks.

How can our forgiving ourselves affect our ability to forgive others? It can and it does. If we hold forgiveness from ourselves we are not free to give it to others, we lock our hearts down and chain up our souls, and keep forgiveness not only from ourselves but others.

I cannot tell you how to find forgiveness in yourself, nor can I tell you how to forgive yourself, but I can tell you it will take time and a lot of self searching. I would recommend you look for and read books on forgiveness and self discovery. I would also recommend any book by Dr. Wayne Dyer, his books will force you to look deep with and to take responsibility for your actions. Start there and work up to self forgiveness, than forgiveness of others.

It’s a long process, one that I am still working on, and most likely will until the day I die.

Paul