Forgiveness, Thanks, Gratitude, Love and Kindness
Simple words that mean so much!
FORGIVENESS
I came across this quote of all places in a Christmas cracker alongside the paper hat and plastic toy:
“The reason to forgive is for your own sake. For your own health. Because beyond that point needed for healing, if we hold onto our anger, we stop growing and our souls begin to shrivel.”
M.Scott-Peck (1936 – ) American Psychiatrist
Sometimes forgiveness does not come easy when one has been wronged, but it is in our own interests to forgive. Tools that I recommend to clients are:
- Writing a letter of forgiveness (sending it is not essential)
- Imagining that the wrongdoing that somebody has done – is written in
detail on an imaginary piece of parchment. This is then thrown into either
an imaginary fire or into a pot of molten liquid where it is burnt or
dissolved respectively. - Saying out load the affirmation: “Even though you wronged me, I find
a place in my heart to forgive you. I release you and myself of this
memory”
THANKS AND GRATITUDE
I myself was going through a difficult period in the year 2000 and I am thankful to a friend and mentor for teaching me how to give thanks and gratitude on a daily basis.
On waking, I gave thanks to my higher self and universe for something specific such as: “Thankyou for giving me a wonderful husband and two beautiful children.”
Each day the thanks that I gave varied and I really took time to think about. What did I need to be thankful for today?
Next I sent a message of gratitude to someone or persons in my life such as “Gratitude to my mum and dad for bringing me into this world” Again the person or group of people varied such that over time I covered a lot of
people.
It was not easy at first to get into the habit of doing this, but it really helped me and continues to help me. I find it humbling and paves my way to universal unconditional love and peace.
The thanks and gratitude can be done any time of the day and as many times a day as you wish.
LOVE AND KINDNESS
I recently read The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace (His Holiness The Dalai Lama).
One quote profoundly affected me:
“Every action that is conscious, and that aims at bringing about a result, arises from a motivation.
My religion is very simple: my key motivation is love. My religion is kindness.”
HH The XIV Dalai Lama
Babies exude unconditional love – they expect nothing less and give love without expecting it back. However it is a well-known fact that an unloved baby does not thrive.
Why then as we get older do we create barriers that make our world have to work hard to give and receive love and kindness.
A good place to start is to start loving ourselves more. When we are in a good space of inner love, the process of “loving our neighbour” is not difficult.
