Forgiveness – One of the Best Gifts You Can Give Yourself

“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is
devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Some people are natural forgivers. They don’t hold onto past injustices. They’re able to ignore small slights. And they tend to have a “glass half full” attitude. For a caregiver, that’s a great characteristic to have.
 
But for many, forgiveness can be challenging. It can be hard to let go of times when we have been hurt or excluded. Yet, by choosing NOT to forgive, we anchor ourselves in the past. And if we wallow in what’s been done to us in the past, we waste time and emotional energy. 
 
Forgiveness can literally improve your health. The negativity of holding on to resentment and anger has physical repercussions, including depression, stress, agitation, and the physical symptoms that accompany these feelings. By letting go of your resentment or anger toward others, you are setting yourself free. Consider it a gift you can give to yourself. It’s one of the best things you can do for your self-care.
 
Of course, there are also times when we have to forgive ourselves. And although it may be uncomfortable to ask for forgiveness from others for our own transgressions, self-forgiveness may be even harder because of the guilt we feel.
 
Caregivers often experience feelings of guilt. These feelings could stem from a variety of roots … such as actions you took in the best interests of your loved one that didn’t work out as planned … resentment about caregiving responsibilities that interfere with activities you would prefer to do … or guilt about having to delegate responsibilities when you feel too burned out to continue.
 
For me, I can’t help but think of forgiveness as a form of LOVE … and self-forgiveness is a form of love for yourself. It’s a gift only YOU can give.
 
As a final word, here’s a passage from a beautiful blog by Louise Hay: 

“Forgiveness is a tricky and confusing concept for many people, but know that there’s a difference between forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that you condone their behavior! The act of forgiveness takes place in your own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person. The reality of true forgiveness lies in setting yourself free from the pain. It’s simply an act of releasing yourself from the negative energy that you’ve chosen to hold on to.”

Indeed .. forgiveness IS one of the best gifts you can give yourself!