Forgiveness Eases Stress And Speeds Healing

Have you ever contemplated how forgiveness can be used to ease stress in your life?

They say that setting yourself free requires setting others free first. Resentment is really a form of attachment! There is truth in the idea that it takes two to make a prisoner (the prisoner and the jailer). The theory is that the jailer is as much a prisoner as his captor.

When you hold resentment against anyone, you are bound to that person by a mental chain. That means we are tied to the very thing that we hate. Think about it. The very person we dislike the most in the world is who we are attaching ourselves to by a hook stronger than steel. Is this how we want to live?

If we persist in linking ourselves to the people we resent, we are inviting further stress and frustration into our lives. Can anyone afford such a thing?

Surely, you've heard the saying, "Forgiveness will set you free." Well, I believe it's true. A clear act of forgiveness is an instrument of healing. I once bought a meditation CD on the subject of physical healing because I was going to have a surgery and I wanted to prepare mentally for it. To my surprise, the (very famous narrator) lead a meditation in FORGIVENESS. She forever linked the two ideas in my mind. So now in my mind practicing forgiveness in my life is linked to my physical health and well being.

Forgiveness is an act of love. Because the law of love works for everyone, you will be helping to heal the other person too.

Sometimes forgiveness isn't so easy. One of the things you can do to forgive others is to remember that they were once a very, very small child (as we all were). In your mind's eye, picture that person as an innocent child of 2 or 3 years old. Perhaps they've been hurt and they're reaching out to you for some comfort. At that moment, you can consciously choose to hold them and hug them and forgive that innocent little child. When I do that, I can actually feel the resentment chain loosen and my heart opens up.

It's recommended that you practice this meditation until you are able to picture them as an adult without becoming angry at them anymore. At the very least, you will be able to have more compassion for them (by remembering their innocent little child within). You will have more tolerance for the adult that they have become. After all, you don't know what it's been like to live their life and carry their burdens. You've never walked in their shoes.

The goal is to allow them to have their limitations WITHOUT carrying a resentment toward them.

Ultimately, many of us are interested in healing. Many of us are interested in mental, emotional, spiritual and physical good health. Therefore, becoming willing to do the internal work of forgiveness becomes crucial.

Questions: Is forgiveness important? Do you believe there is a link between forgiveness and healing? Post your answer as a "Comment" below.

Take Care Of Yourselves Nurses!
Theresa Waller, RN
714 293 5398
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