The Healing Power Of Forgiveness: How To Let Go And Move Forward 

What Is Forgiveness?

"The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world."

Forgiveness is the act of releasing feelings of resentment or vengeance toward someone who has harmed you. It involves letting go of negative emotions and choosing to pardon the offender, which can lead to emotional healing and inner peace for both parties involved. 

Sometimes, after being hurt, it's so hard to forgive those who hurt us. I think that is mainly because we get stuck in the train of thought that says- “they don't deserve my forgiveness” or “they did that on purpose so I can't move past this”. Staying with that mindset towards whoever, or whatever has hurt us though, will only lead to bitterness and becoming resentful. People do hurtful things for all kinds of reasons, including unresolved personal issues, emotional pain, lack of empathy, or a desire for power or control. Sometimes, hurtful behavior is a result of past experiences or trauma that have not been properly addressed. Even sometimes it's cultural or societal influences, such as learned behaviors or social norms, that contribute to someone's hurtful actions. It's important to remember that hurtful behavior often reflects the inner struggles of the person who is being hurtful and it may not necessarily be a reflection of their true character. It's usually hurt people who will hurt people.

"Forgiveness is the key to unlocking the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate."

Being resentful and bitter will have negative effects on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as impact your relationships with others. Holding onto resentment can also prevent you from moving forward in life, hindering personal growth and happiness. Physically, chronic resentment and bitterness have been linked to various health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune system. Harboring resentment and bitterness can have detrimental effects on both your psychological and physical health. Forgiveness can heal you by freeing you from the burden of carrying resentment and bitterness. It can reduce stress, anger, and negative emotions, leading to improved mental and emotional well-being.

What Forgiving Does 

Forgiving others will empower you to reclaim control over your own emotions and live a more fulfilling life. Holding on to anger or hurt is like punishing yourself daily for someone else's mistake. Letting go of pain after being hurt involves acknowledging your emotions, allowing yourself to feel them fully, and then consciously deciding to release them. It often involves practicing self-compassion, focusing on personal growth, and sometimes seeking support from friends, family, or a therapist to process and move past the pain. Additionally, engaging in activities that bring you joy and practicing mindfulness can help shift your focus away from the hurt and towards healing. By letting go of grudges, you create space for inner peace, personal growth, and healthier relationships. Forgiveness can also contribute to physical health benefits, such as lowered blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease. Since you no longer are carrying the burdens of  unresolved stressors.

Forgiveness doesn't excuse their behavior, but it prevents their behavior from destroying your heart. Forgiving is not acceptance of behavior that has hurt you, your feelings or someone you love, but acknowledgement of what happened, processing the feelings which came from it and being able to carry on stronger. Once you have let yourself fully process pain, it becomes much easier to let go, forgive, and move forward with life. When we do not allow ourselves to process negative emotions, they most certainly do not go away on their own, but instead will manifest in different ways in our lives. Forgiveness is not about forgetting, it's about letting go of the pain. Forgiveness is freeing and leaves us feeling at peace, finally taking the burdens from pain off our shoulders and out of our hearts. 

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."

Please forgive others, as you would want forgiveness in times you've made mistakes that have hurt another, sending peace, love, and light soul family ✨