Letting Go Of The Past (Part B)

I want to share with you one of the toughest as well as one of the best things I have ever done in my life.

Many years ago, I sensed that our Creator wanted me to close many ‘unclosed files’ in my life.

I had to remember the people who have hurt me in the past and to forgive them.

Like you, I have my fair share of people who had done a lot of wrong things against me.

There are people who have disappointed me, spread vicious rumours about me, and backstabbed me.

Worst, many have cheated me, scarred me, and done many destructive things in my life.

I had to forgive each and every one of them. I had to do it willingly, mindfully and wholeheartedly.

Every time I start to have any negative feeling about them, I had to forgive them. And I had to forgive them again and again until the poison of unforgiveness is out of my system.

The more I tried to recall my transgressors, the more faces appeared in my mind.

The more I did that, the more I realized how much negative feelings I had harboured against them.

These feelings have always been inside of me – sometimes, in the dark recesses of my mind.

They have been eating away gradually in my heart and spirit. Poisoning my system.

It was very hard to forgive them. I had to struggle very hard – mentally and emotionally to let them go in my life.

It was one of the most difficult things to do. It took me a long time to complete the exercise.

At the end of it, I felt like I was being released from a prison.

It was like I have been caged in toxic darkness and suddenly, I discovered sunlight. I was able to enjoy the warmth sensation of the rising sun.

It’s not a wonder someone once told me, “Forgiveness can resolve more than half of our psychological problems”.

Please let me share with you some beautiful lessons from this experience. I believe it will help you now or at other points in your life.

What Is Not Forgiveness

Forgiveness does not mean that I accept and support their other party’s action. I do not have to condone it.

Forgiveness does not mean that I should deny that harm has been done against me. I do not have to try and justify it.

Forgiveness does not mean that I have to be reconciled to the other party and renew the relationship.

I definitely do not have to subject myself to further abuse and be hurt.

What Is Forgiveness

 

When I forgive people for the wrong they do against me – it is for myself. It is not for the other parties.

Forgiveness ensures that I do not allow my transgressor to continue to hurt me. It removes a roadblock to improving my overall well-being.

Forgiveness frees up my mind so that I can think more clearly and make better decisions in my life. As long as I don’t forgive my transgressor, the hurt will continue to occupy my mind and destroy my heart and spirit.

Forgiveness releases negative emotions from my being. They includes anxiety, anger, resentment, hostility, hatred, hurts, unhappiness, pain, sorrow and depression.

When the negative emotions are drained from my system, I can fill it with more positive, healthier, and more altruistic emotions. It includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.

Forgiveness prevents me from living in the past. It helps me to live completely in the present so as to fulfill my calling and maximize my achievements.

Forgiveness enhances my self-esteem. When my heart is at peace, I can establish closer relationships with the right people. I can make better contributions to the people around me.

Forgiveness prevents me from wasting more time, money and energy to deal with actual and imaginary resentment, retaliation and revenge. I can channel these resources to maximise my God-given potential.

Forgiveness allows me to learn a valuable lesson from the unique experience. I can build on it to become a better person and to have a brighter future.

Forgiveness enables me to live life to the fullest and to enjoy my life.

Go4It!

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

Please go to ‘Notes’ found below my profile picture.

Visit my Inspiration blog at http://liewinspiration.wordpress.com

Visit my Transformation blog at http://hsrpatrickliew.wordpress.com

Please read them and continue to teach me.

Life is FUNtastic!

 

Question: How can we forgive others again and again when we have negative feelings about them?