Forgiveness

Forgiveness is something that everyone has had to either live with (being unable to forgive) or has done the work to forgive themselves or another for a situation that has happened.

Firstly, I'd like to add that forgiveness doesn't happen over night and depending on the severity of the event or feelings attached this process may take longer, but hold tight because it will be worth every bump in the road and this hard work is solely for yourself so you can feel free and not weighed down by the negative thoughts or feelings attached.

Lets remember that when we forgive we either show compassion to ourselves or to others and try to have empathy as to why this situation or event even happened. If you are able to do this you're already taking the first step. In some cases this cannot be done as we are unable to reason or understand certain behaviors or actions, if this is your situation then please read on.

I'm going to let you in on a little ritual that I like to do to help me when I'm struggling to shift energy and I'm wanting to step into forgiveness. I sit tall with my hands together with my palms facing up to the sky, once I am comfortable in this position I will bring my attention to the situation that is causing me distress, there I will sit with these feelings to help me understand why I feel the way I do and does holding onto these feelings benefit me? I will do this for about 5 minutes and then I will send these thoughts and feelings to a piece of coal that is sitting in my open hands. As I send these feelings to the coal, the coal will begin to heat up, as it gets hotter and hotter I struggle to hold onto it until I have to throw the coal away which is myself releasing the anger, sadness, hate, fear or whatever feelings came up. This little ritual practiced often will help you to release and understand what you're holding on too. If you're able to do this every time you feel those sensations you will eventually be able to grow from the situation that is weighing you down.

If we think of forgiveness as a way of setting ourselves free from the hurt and a way to move forward, then surely only good can come from this. Yes we will learn lessons and gain wisdom from these situations and that is the silver lining, we will set boundaries and respect ourselves so our love, time and energy only goes to those who align with us.

I really hope this will help someone

warm wishes

Madeline Oakden