Hello Friend,
Yesterday (8/13) was my birthday and we had our customary morning prayer and round robin of “what sets (birthday person) apart from everyone we know?” Or, another version: “What do I love most about (birthday person)?
When my 17 yo son said – within a heartbeat of the question being posed – “her forgiveness… her ability to forgive so easily and quickly” – I knew I had some work to do.
You see, prior to them joining me on the porch where I was in a deep birthday morning reverie, I was thinking about what I might need to release; “what weight or baggage am I carrying into another year of life?”
Sadly, or perhaps fortunately, something eased its way into my consciousness as I asked the question. It’s a thing that was done by well-intentioned folks (I am convincing myself of this) that has caused tremendous pain and upheaval in our family. It was done a long time ago but the consequences of it lingers.
I have forgiven the wrong-doers, I have been able and very willing to pray for them, to love them and even hug them. But I had to admit, after everyone had their turn, (saying such things as “the way you are always growing” and “the amount of time and effort you put into being a good and loving person”) that there was work to be done and I was not living up to these wonderful compliments.
So I confessed. Though it feels like I have forgiven all – as I said, I am able to love and even pray for these folks, sometimes when I think about what was done, I get angry all over again. When I observe the consequences being played out in our family and in my children’s challenges, I get pained all over again. So clearly I have not released all.
This birthday will mark the beginning of the lightest year of my life. I will release all this gook and flush it down the drain. Using forgiveness as my spiritual drano, I will get clean and clear. This is my birthday ‘confession turned commitment.’
Of course you know I always ask: how can this help you? What have you not released – fully and completely? As I experienced yesterday, often we think all is forgiven but on closer review we see more weight to eject.
If you are lacking any of the following; joy, love, peace, prosperity, grace, kindness, gentleness, productivity, maturity, accountability, passion, purpose, enthusiasm for life, optimism, hope or anything not mentioned here that you are missing in your life…it is VERY LIKELY to be connected to your need to release some baggage; fully forgiving yourself or others for some perceived mistakes or violations.
A lack of forgiveness blocks our blessings.
Forgiveness is a most powerful habit. It is a mindset and a way of living. We cannot think it is done and over with just because we have forgiven once. If it is big thing – like abuse, physical/sexual violations, violations against your children and loved ones, violations that tap into your core issues, mistakes that have caused major guilt and shame, etc, etc – you will need to renew your commitment to forgive on a daily basis. {See Daily Forgiveness Ritual here}
If you don’t tend to forgiveness and all related unhealed issues, all your other magnificent habits will not be free to provide you with the level of joy, peace, love, prosperity, etc., etc., as listed above, as you seek. You will be blocked up. No matter how great the other habits, they will be compromised.
So, my birthday wish is that you free yourself so you can fly as high as your heart’s desire. For me, this will be best year of my life: Starting of course, with this very moment.
Wishing you an abundance of love, peace and joy,
~♥~
P.S. Yesterday was the best birthday ever! I did more, laughed more and loved more…I am positive it is BECAUSE of the morning confession! 🙂