This is an archived blog from when I ran Conscious Public Relations Inc. from 2008-2018. Excuse the potential outdated-ness!
I love this time of year, when I get to see my extended family and spend time catching up over eating. As the year comes to an end, I am able to reflect on all of the blessings I’ve received in the past year, and also goals for the upcoming year, but also how much work I have to do on myself. I doubt anyone sets the resolution to forgive more… so why am I talking about this?
I read an article on DailyGood.org yesterday about forgiveness. Writer Gail Brenner talks about how it is a process, but how it is never about the other person, but ourselves. Time and time again I go through this cycle of thinking about how people in my life have wronged me – or others. And at some point in the year I forget and I remember how trivial my thinking is… and then I go into that cycle of egoic thinking again, that I am owed something. It’s not that I’m expecting an apology, because I know that may never come…and I might even think of myself as more worthy because of that apology. So I am left to wonder – is forgiveness something we must learn over and over again?
The answer is yes. I’ve learned from the spiritual gurus that forgiveness is the key to love. Not just for others, but for self. I came to this realization yesterday. If I love myself enough to let that bad memory go, I may no longer let it bother me. I do not have to be at the point where I hang out with that person day in and day out, but I can at least try to sever that old, rusty tie.
Today I honour one of my best friends, who I treasure because of her ability to forgive me – and not just once – for things I had done in my past. I would do anything for her because of that.
Regardless of what your resolution may be next year, I hope you are able to forgive someone in your life who may have wronged you, and set that memory free.