ACTIVATE
Start your journey to forgiveness here. Whether through dialogue, prayer, or direct action, there are many ways to begin.
Take a card and follow the prompts on the back. Please be mindful of our environment and do not take more than you need.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean you accept poor behavior. Forgiving doesn’t say: oh, it’s okay that happened, or it’s fine you did that to me. Forgiveness is a gift you give YOURSELF! It frees you from the past. It allows you to move on with your life, free of anger and hurt. Take these steps:
Step One
Gain Perspective
Often, those who hurt others were hurt themselves, or the pain they inflict is an unconscious response to their past negative experience. It may bring you peace to learn that someone who caused you pain was also hurting or unaware of their actions.
Step Two
Take Responsibility
Take responsibility for the role you played in the hurtful situation. Taking responsibility does not mean it was your fault. It means that you can respond to any situation by making a new choice. You can choose to fall victim to the hurt, or use it as a catalyst for change. Perhaps the wisdom gained from the situation will allow you to create new personal boundaries.
Step Three
Give Forgiveness; Receive Forgiveness
Let go of the you should haves and the you owe me. Release the need to judge others; we are all doing the best we can. Everyone needs forgiveness for something, including you.
Forgiveness is a process. It rarely happens overnight. Give yourself permission to take whatever time is necessary. Just stay in the willingness to forgive. Say to yourself: I’m not willing to live another day in pain or anger. I am ready and willing to let it go.
Pray
Prayer creates an openness in your heart; it creates a readiness for change. Take your desire to forgive to Spirit/The Universe. Say this in prayer: I’m not willing to live another day in pain or anger. I am ready and willing to let it go. Show me the way to forgiveness, help me release this pain and anger, guide me, and
I will follow.
Write
Journal your way through the forgiveness process. Write what you feel, both positive and negative thoughts. Be honest. Don’t share your writings with anyone. Consider writing a series of letters to the person you want to forgive. Don’t mail them. Continue writing the letters
until you’ve released all
negative emotions.
Ritual
Create a forgiveness ritual. If you journal, destroy the letters you wrote. Buy a bouquet of white flowers and float the petals away on water. Burn old letters from the person who hurt you. Delete all pictures and files from your computer or phone. Let it go!
What
Join others who are exploring the forgiveness process in an open and honest conversation facilitated by one of CSL’s Faith Leaders.
When
Wednesday evenings,
September 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 7:00pm ET.
Where
On Zoom. Register now!
