Day 5_Gift to You

We talked a lot about forgiveness in 'Blind Spots, Baggage & Behavior'. (Ifyou haven't gone through it, you may want to consider it after 'Justice'.)

Forgiveness, or releasing the power that someone has over you, is a gift to yourself.

It's best described as the decision to release yourself from the pain of injustice, not allowing the offender(s) or the experience to have control over you any longer.

Forgiveness doesn't say it was okay, as you heard in Kate O'Brien's video.

It's a way to heal, move on and open your heart to new people and experiences that are good for you.

How much are you able to see forgiveness as a gift to yourself?

Joseph's secret (from Day 3 and 4) was in the way he viewed his circumstances.

There was no question that they sucked. But he learned that he could focus on the injustice or he could focus on the man he'd become.

He chose the later, and his legacy is integrity, compassion, humility, wisdom, power and leadership.

Does his story inspire you to move forward in life and grow beyond what you thought were your limits?

If you feel ready to do so, practice forgiving - letting go - by saying the following:

“(Fill in the name) I release you from having any hold on my life. The resentment and constant memories stop here. My life is now my own. I'm taking back my power.”

Are you ready to do this?

We understand if you weren't yet ready to do the above exercise. All we ask is that you remember it for the time when you become ready.

If you did do it, describe how you feel.

What's changed inside?
What do you like better about yourself?
How are you stronger?

What would you tell someone else who's dealing with something similar?

How does it make you feel to offer hope to someone who could use encouragement?

That's an invaluable gift, don't you think?