The Power Of Forgiveness – Part 1

Throughout the course of our lifetimes here on Earth, there are endless opportunities for lessons, trials and tribulations. Human interaction is the source of many, if not all, of these experiences—leading to positive and negative outcomes at the hands of the people in our lives. In some instances (at times beyond our control), trauma can take place that can have a profound and lasting effect. Physical, emotional and verbal abuse are types of external traumas that affect the human psyche and have far-reaching consequences, altering a person’s perceptions and reality. If these traumas are not treated promptly and effectively, it can lead to a tremendous amount of suffering for the recipient as well as his or her loved ones.

Western medicine has an entire field dedicated to treating those who have experienced emotional challenges. Therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists are trained extensively in how to help people cope with their emotional challenges. Psychiatrists have a litany of medications they can prescribe to help quell negative thought patterns and emotional responses. And while many have sought and obtained relief from using Western medicine, there remains a portion of the population seeking alternatives that are more holistic and natural.

The purpose of this blog is to present a tool which has the potential to help those who are suffering from emotional trauma. People who were victims and are now living with troubling memories and negative thought patterns can use it. The name of this tool is forgiveness. It is one of the most powerful actions known to man, as it can provide a release from suffering—thereby leading to freedom, peace and harmony.

What does forgiveness mean?

Before we delve into how to properly use this tool, it’s important to have a proper definition of the root of the word forgiveness. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines forgive as “to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong): to stop blaming (someone)”. The second part of the definition reads: “to stop feeling anger about (something): to forgive someone for (something wrong)”. [Link]

Why do I need to use forgiveness?

First and foremost, forgiveness is an act that benefits you. It should be viewed as a tool that provides freedom to the person doing the forgiving. Let us be clear by stating that forgiveness is not a way of condoning the actions that caused the trauma. Nothing should diminish the seriousness and validity of your feelings about what took place; if it hurt you, then it was wrong and should never have happened.

Who should I forgive?

Before you forgive others, you must first forgive yourself. This is an extremely important part of the process and needs to be prioritized. You need to forgive yourself for holding onto the trauma. In the majority of cases, the person who hurt you has long forgotten about the event. It is not that they don’t care—but more so that they have moved on with their lives. So if you can first find the forgiveness for yourself, you will start to detach from the pain and suffering and begin the process of healing.

Look at forgiveness as a gift you give yourself. Consider it a key to the jail cell you’ve kept yourself in for so long. Recognize that you are now ready to be free of whatever or whomever has hurt you. Look deep inside and understand that you don’t need to hold onto the trauma any longer; it can be released whenever you’re ready. It might take some time to get used to the idea of forgiving yourself. However, once you learn how easy and quick it can be, it will soon become an invaluable tool. We encourage you to explore just how amazing forgiveness can be. It has the potential to change your entire reality in a short amount of time.

In part 2 of this series, we will go into greater detail regarding the process of forgiveness. Our goal is to provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of what forgiveness means, when it can be used, and how to achieve it.