Forgiveness – Day 5
February 01, 2019
Forgiveness is like certain foods. We need to develop a taste for it. Once we do, we’re hooked.
Action: If you are doing something that is creating guilt, stop doing it as soon as you can. Figure out reasonable, sane ways to make amends. Sometimes it means changing your behaviors and saying sorry. If saying sorry will cause harm to someone else, you may need to eat that guilt. Don’t say sorry when it will make the situation worse.
If you need forgiveness, ask. Religious rituals may help. And Steps Four through Ten of Twelve Step programs work if you do what the Steps suggest.
If someone asks you for forgiveness, seriously think about saying yes. Even if they don’t ask, do you really want that resentment eating at you? If you’ve done your work and still feel guilty, remember that guilt comes in waves. Acknowledge the feeling, and then go on with your life.
Forgiveness is humbling and may be the hardest work you’ll ever do. It’s worth the effort. It tastes good.
From the book: 52 Weeks of Conscious Contact
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About the author
In addiction and recovery circles, Melody Beattie is a household name. She is the best-selling author of numerous books.
One of Melody's more recent titles is The Grief Club, which was published in 2006. This inspirational book gives the reader an inside look at the miraculous phenomenon that occurs after loss--the being welcomed into a new "club" of sorts, a circle of people who have lived through similar grief and pain, whether it be the loss of a child, a spouse, a career, or even one's youth.
For more information about Melody and her books, visit the author's official website