The Power in Forgiveness...

Forgiveness is not always an easy task, but in the long run, you will benefit positively...

We all have had to deal with different types of drama in our lives...some of course are more severe or traumatic than others...

People are, you know...people... and humans can be very complicated...unnecessarily if you ask me. A lot of times we humans can make things more difficult than is necessary.

Sometimes misunderstandings could be easily repaired by opening up and communicating thoughts and emotions with each other.

Words spoken by another, which hurt you...well, the intent may not have been to harm you but that's how you interpreted them. So ...now you're upset, angry and holding a grudge rather than speaking up and saying what is truly on your mind.

Communication is a Huge Key to having an important understanding about the people in your world...

Having good communication skills is helpful in every area of your life...with family, friends, co-workers even strangers appreciate a smile... which is a wordless way of communicating but a truly welcoming gesture. The world could use all the smiles we can give to each other! :)

If peace in your heart and mind is your desire...Forgiveness plays an important role in that reality...

I try to avoid being around people with heavy negative energy...especially because I have worked feverishly on myself for years to have a peaceful state of mind and I have the right to choose who I want in my world...and so do you!

It is important to try not to let the little things bother you...you know the attitude... and that good ole saying "Don't sweat the small stuff!" Well, I try to live by those words...

In my younger days I thought if I hung onto being angry at another person... I was punishing them ...take that...person I'm mad at...while I'm over here being bitter in my heart and mind towards you...can you feel it?!?

Guess what? They were probably not feeling a thing and in the long run, it was myself I was hurting...

There are of course different levels of forgiveness determined by the severity and toxicity of the persons or situations.

And... Not all forgiveness deserves a seat back at the table of your life...however, you can still be forgiving and make the choice of sending them love... from a distance.

As my Puerto Rican mama would say "Don't chew worry about them my dear, just Bless them." or "Don't chew pay too much attention to others, just Bless them." These are some wise words indeed...

There is a term which rings so true..."hurt people, hurt people"...let that thought sink in and forgiving somebody may become...a little softer and a little easier when you try to have some empathy for the other person.

Remember...Forgiveness is making an intentional decision to release any feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has caused you harm. This does not mean forgetting or excusing the offense, nor does it require reconciliation with the offender.

Instead, forgiveness allows you to move forward without being burdened by negative emotions... leading to emotional healing and improved mental health.

Hanging on to "bad" feelings towards another can snowball into having a victim mentality as well...which is not mentally healthy for anyone! The "poor me" syndrome gets old real fast, and nobody likes to be around that type of person for any length of time.

For instance, if you've lived through a tough childhood, instead of holding on to the pain or having any grudges against your parents...I encourage you to have some empathy towards them and make a decision to try and understand... they parented the best they knew how at the time and just maybe, forgiving them would be the right thing to do...for yourself.

It becomes an easy habit once you begin to make the choice to be a forgiving person...Until next time...

Remember to...

Choose Faith...and Love Always...xo

Brenda