Are you ready to fire up your mindset for the day and week ahead?

First things first – read the affirmation out loud.

I forgive those who have hurt me and
wholeheartedly release those wrongdoings.
Forgiveness is self-care and
my soul sings when I forgive others.

Go ahead and repeat this one…and really soak let it into your soul.

There are three areas I want us to focus on this week.

#1: Understand what forgiveness is and why it matters.
Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

Yes, Forgiveness is about extending mercy to people who’ve harmed us, even if they don’t “deserve” it.

In order to forgive, we are not required to sprinkle excuses to cover their behavior or pretend it didn’t happen. We can forgive but we don’t have to forget.

Forgiveness is a process that starts one step at a time and ultimately brings you, the forgiver peace of mind and frees you from corrosive anger or potential bitterness.

#2: Slow down, look inside and forgive yourself.
We have talked about this before. Lioness, you and I tend to be harder on ourselves than we are on others. Self-love and acceptance are elusive. Take a moment and examine your heart.  Look within to uncover where you may be contributing to the situation you find yourself in right now… that one that you feel requires you to forgive someone.   Was your behavior contributing to it? Did you drop a few unsavory comments along the way or make a decision that didn’t turn out as you had hoped?

In self-forgiveness, you honor yourself as a person, even if you are imperfect. This opens you up to seeing others with love and being more open to forgiving when they slip up.

#3: Start developing a “forgiving heart”.
Every hurt makes us stronger. We grow, stretch, and mature in the moments of reflection and forgiveness. This process allows us to help others who have been harmed overcome their suffering.  This ultimately brings us joy and lightens our hearts.

Stop the cycle of unforgiveness.
Shed bitterness and look through your love filter.

Not sure where to start?

1. Avoid criticizing others (aka shining a light on someone else’s flaws and faults)
2. Apologize when you’re wrong
   (Now I have this song stuck in my head.)
3. Be polite (wave when someone lets you in on the freeway)
4. Treat others with respect at all times
5. Don’t jump to conclusions…
   Do you judge yourself on your intentions or your actions?
   I thought so.  Give others the benefit of the doubt.
6. Surround yourself with people who help you lean into forgiveness, not slide into the role of a  bitter and negative victim

Lioness, I know you have the power to forgive others. You are gracious, tenacious, and compassionate. I encourage you to put aside your resentment, hurt, and bitterness so you may be blessed by reconciliation with people who have offended us and those whom you have offended.

xxoo,