Through Forgiveness We Are Set Free

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and discover that the prisoner was you” – Lewis B. Smedes

The purpose of LIFE according to the GREAT LIFE model is to LOVE, INSPIRE, FORGIVE, and ENJOYMENT.  I believe the most overlooked purpose of life is a practice of forgiveness.  Forgiveness is the gateway of peace and serenity. Only until we let go of old wounds, hurt, and resentment are we able to move on to take care of the business of living.

Forgiveness is a central practice in LIFE because I believe that when we are able to practice forgiveness daily are we able to forgive ourselves.  Forgiveness is important to let it just be an act, it should be its own practice.  When we are truly hurt, let down, annoyed, or angered, it may be difficult to let go of the emotion completely. By daily practicing forgiveness builds a strength to let go of the resentments we hold.

We are never free from the resentment we refuse to let go. They become a part of us. They influence our thought process and belief systems and dictate our behavior.  Our resentments becomes a part of a story that sometimes replay over and over. Paul Boese said “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” If we learn to forgive others for our hurts and search for our part, the role we played, can we move on to a life that is bigger than what is possible with resentment.

Until I learned to practice forgiveness as a daily part of self care, I was a prisoner of my own mind.  I’ve been held hostage by the resentment that my life doesn’t look like I envisioned it would.  Trapped by my resentment I had to achieve to prove to everyone I was angry at, I was better than you… My accomplishments were never good enough for me to let go of my resentment.

My resentments backfired… I will never be enough, no accomplishment will make me enough, until I forgive others and more important – myself for all the choices that brought me here.  I can’t go back and live my life over.  I can’t go back and make a different choice that will make me better off today.  I can’t go back. I can’t go back… I can only forgive and move forward.  Moving on with my LIFE, one-GREAT-day at a time, forgiveness will help me to move forward propelled by my passion and not my resentment.  Forgiveness will set me free to BE who I was always meant to be.  Every minute I live in a practice of forgiveness keeps me free from the ridged confines of  who I should be, so that I’m better than you.

We should be as we are, as we will be, as we were born – HUMAN.  We should forgive humanness. I forgive you for being human.  I forgive myself for being human.  We are not perfect. There is no such thing.  When we ask others to behave how we want them we are asking for perfection.  Forgive and set others and most important yourself free from perfection, humanness, resentments… let go and be set free.

 

GREAT Day leads to a GREAT LIFE

 “Every day should pass as if it were to be our last.” – Publilius Syrus

My Commitment to living a GREAT LIFE starts with living a GREAT day every day.  I thought I’d share with you the writing I did today as I follow the GREAT day framework.  This is the short version I do when getting present for the day.

Gratitude: I am grateful for my life. I’m so grateful for the willingness to take responsibility to getting the life I want. I’m grateful that I have an education and that I’m talented and gifted in the work that I do.  I’m grateful for the clients that I have and the hundreds of people that I’ve been blessed to help. I’m grateful for the willingness to be seen.

Recognize Negativity:  I struggle with the fear that I will not be able to make ends meet if I don’t pick up business.  The negative thought is, I’m a financial failure.  I know that the thought is not true.  It is true that financially I need to earn more, and I will.  My financial situation is temporary.  Financially, spiritually, physically, and emotionally I am taken care of.  For today, that thought will not stop me.  I am financially responsible and I’m willing and doing whatever it takes to build my practice.

Excitement: I am living a GREAT LIFE.  A year from now I will be stronger, healthier, and happier moving toward the vision of my LIFE.  In time I will build my client list or find a job because I’m more willing than I’ve ever been to take responsibility for my life.  I love the man I’m becoming.

Action: It’s late in the day, and I’ve done a lot so far.  I spoke to clients and friends and have been of service to people struggling.  Later I will write a blog to post in the morning.  I will go to a meeting and get connected to where I was and where I know my life is headed.  I will go to my Mastering Relationships class with Mastin Kipp (Coach & Founder of thedailylove.com).

Thanks:  I’m thankful for my clean meals and my workout.  I’m thankful for my air mattress that manages to hold most of its air as I sleep through the night. I’m thankful for the phone calls I had today. For friends like Greg and Olivia… I’m thankful for my beautiful office. I’m thankful for my meetings. I’m thankful that I wasn’t alone. I’m thankful for the courage to show up and be open to learning about love at the workshop with Mastin Kipp.  God I’m thankful for the abundance and love and GREAT LIFE you have waiting for me.