The Ties That Bind Us

A few years ago I gave five thousand dollars to a supposed documentary filmmaker. I had a great idea to document the similarities, rather than the differences in all religions. He was a (supposed) friend who frequented a local restaurant when I was a struggling single mom. Low and behold he was a scammer and stole my money.

I was furious!

Then it hit me….

Why let that man and his actions steal any more from me.... like my energy, thoughts and emotions? Just let it go. Forgive him. Not for him, but for ME. And when I finally let it go, my success came pouring in, and I think karma took care of him.

Self-help author Louise Hay wrote that all illnesses stem from the lack of forgiveness. That’s a pretty heavy statement. Why should I have to forgive all the people who have wronged me? Surely they don’t deserve my forgiveness.

But wait… You’re not forgiving them for THEM. You forgive them, for YOU. You forgive them so they don’t get free rent in your head and your heart. With forgiveness you raise the rent and evict them out of your consciousness. I forgive them for ME and not for them.

Holding onto resentment is like holding on to burning coals. The harder and longer you hold them, the more severe the burn. Why do that to yourself? Let go of the coals and forgive. So you can remediate anymore future damage. 

Another poignant point is sometimes the hardest person, and the most important person we need to forgive is ourselves. We are often so darn hard on ourselves and just berate and ruminate over our past mistakes.

We are all doing the best we can with the knowledge and wisdom we have.

When we forgive we literally cut the ties that bind us and we are free! So release ALL potential future illnesses by not only forgiving others, but by forgiving yourself!

Booker T. Washington once said, “You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.”

He’s right.

Forgive. For you.

Thanks for reading and sharing. Remember to always go where the love is! Namaste.