How is your own journey to forgiveness coming along? I hope you’re finding my daily musings on the topic here helpful. I also hope that you’re making progress. Embracing forgiveness isn’t always easy. It’s not something that comes natural to us and it takes a while to turn feelings of anger and resentment into those of forgiveness. We talked about how this is a process that takes time and that we have to work to form those new emotional habits.
As with all new habits, we have to actively make a choice on a daily basis. Forgiveness is no different. You have to practice daily to make it stick. That may sound hard or like a lot of work, but it isn’t as difficult or tedious as it sounds. You simply have to remind yourself once a day – preferably early in the day – that you’re choosing and embracing forgiveness.
I find motivational and inspirational quotes about forgiveness helpful. I have been posting a few of my favorites in the Facebook group. I even have two taped on my bathroom mirror. This way I’m reminded to make the choice to embrace forgiveness every single morning.
Coming up with a personal mantra or affirmation can be another great tool. By getting in the habit of reciting it every morning, or even several times throughout the day, you can’t help but stay on track.
Keeping a journal is another great daily exercise that helps you continue your journey of forgiveness. Knowing that you will be writing about your thoughts and experiences later on in the day will keep forgiveness front and center on your mind. Of course, journaling first thing in the morning is another great option and a good way to focus on your mind on this important endeavor.
No matter what tool, technique, or gimmick you use, make it a point to remind yourself to work on forgiveness daily until it becomes second nature. This 21-Day Challenge is of course another helpful tool. With daily email reminders, posts, and the lively discussion in our Facebook group,
forgiveness will never be far from your thoughts. A short little reminder is often all it takes to continue to make the daily choice to forgive and build a brighter future.
ACTION FOR TODAY:
Affirmations are specific statements that help you to overcome self-sabotaging, negative thoughts. They help you visualize and create positive changes in your life. An affirmation might be a cute little note that you see each day as a reminder.
Write down in your journal three (3) affirmations to recite daily to help you embrace forgiveness. Ex. I acknowledge my faults and forgive myself completely.
I release the heavy burden of shame, guilt, self-hatred and self-judgement.
I am capable of moving on from past offenses and wrongs people have done to me. I step away from the prison of resentment into freedom.
