The Power of Forgiveness
 | Author:
Ellie West, Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy, and Hypnosis
Inside Inspiration: Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy |
The Power of Forgiveness
Ellie West
Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy, and Hypnosis
Forgiveness is a constant part of our lives. Often, the hardest people to forgive are the ones closest to us - family members, friends, or loved ones. It is not wrong to feel anger or bitterness in our pain, especially if trust has been broken or we’ve been wronged. But letting anger and resentment take root is like poison to our souls.
I think about forgiveness often, as an example, when something triggers an emotion, feeling, or past experience. At that moment, I have to have a heart-to-heart talk with myself. I ask, “What hinders me from forgiving?” I am learning to move the hurt, pain, and disappointment from my heart to my hands. I hold my hands tight as I pray for forgiveness and to forgive. I open my hands and release all that holds me back - asking God to help.
Forgiveness is a process, it’s about being honest about the pain and hurt, and it is about releasing the unforgiveness to God without waiting for an apology…Healing takes time.
Carrying the weight of resentment and unforgiveness is like an anchor that drags you through the turbulence and currents of life.
Many walk around nursing wounds from things people have said or done. Life, family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and even the communities in which we live will disappoint us. But carrying that extra baggage because we are unwilling or unsure how to forgive will only hold us hostage and sabotage our lives.
Forgiveness is not a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a process that unfolds at its own pace. It begins with acknowledging the pain and the emotions associated with it. By facing these feelings head-on, we allow ourselves to heal. This process requires courage and compassion as we examine our vulnerabilities and the reasons for our transgressions.
Genuine forgiveness is not about excusing the actions that caused us pain but about granting ourselves the gift of freedom. It's acknowledging that our well-being deserves precedence over nurturing bitterness. When we choose to forgive, we allow ourselves to let go, heal, and move toward a healed heart.
Forgiveness is an act of kindness towards the offender and a powerful exercise in self-compassion. It's about cultivating empathy, not just for the person who hurt you, but for ourselves. When we empathize with the flawed nature of humanity, we realize that everyone can make mistakes. This realization softens the edges of anger and resentment, making room for understanding and healing.
Extending empathy toward those who hurt us invites us to see the bigger picture. Beneath their actions often lie their struggles, insecurities, and fears. This understanding doesn't justify their behavior but helps us view them with a compassionate lens, contributing to our forgiving ability.
Forgiving someone close may not mean immediately returning to the way things were. It might entail setting new boundaries, renegotiating expectations, and embarking on a journey of rediscovery. As trust gradually rebuilds, the foundation of the relationship can become even stronger than before, strengthened by the resilience that comes from facing and overcoming challenges.
In the journey toward forgiveness, we also find our way to inner peace. When we let go of the resentment that weighs us down, we make space for positivity, gratitude, and personal growth. Releasing negative emotions can improve mental and emotional well-being, paving the way for a more fulfilled and joyful life.
Forgiving those closest to us is a transformative act that can reshape our entire outlook on life. It teaches us that our hearts have immense strength, resilience, and compassion. Through forgiveness, we become living examples of the power of healing and the beauty of second chances.
Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; instead, it’s a badge of strength. It takes immense courage to release the grip of resentment and allow forgiveness to flow. When we forgive, we free ourselves from negativity, and our hearts truly begin to heal. The act of forgiveness is a journey of our capacity to rise above pain and choose compassion and empathy over bitterness.
We all have a story…are there parts of your story you wish you could rewrite? I often think, “If only I could rewrite parts of mine,” as we all make mistakes that make us feel ashamed or embarrassed. While we cannot rewrite our past, we can begin the process of forgiveness and write our beautiful future.
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“Forgiveness doesn’t excuse their actions. Forgiveness stops their actions from destroying your heart." ~Unknown
To connect with Ellie @coachelliewest Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, TLT, & Hypnosis
