"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
MAHATMA GANDHI
Forgiveness. Oft’ overlooked, WAY under practiced, far and away the key to successful living, and yet largely ignored. Why is this not taught from infancy? Forgiveness should be a class taught in school and tested for, like a drivers test, at least once a year.
I spent 30 years of my life full of anger about the wrongs done to me until one day there was no room for anything else. Bitterness and anger are like a disease that will eventually poison every area of your life. Unforgiveness will destroy you. There are no exceptions.
One day I wrote out a list. On that list was the name of every person I could remember that had offended me. Every instance of every slight was jotted down in great detail and let me tell you, the list was long. It was a very painful process. When I was done with the list, I went into my room alone and I spoke each person’s name aloud, recalling each incident and verbally said “I forgive you and let you go.” The key here was, I meant it. In my mind, as I said their name, I pictured a little tiny boat that I set on fire and put out to sea like a mini Viking funeral.
It took a long time to get through the list. You’ll be amazed at the memories that will crop up while you go through the process. Things I had forgotten for years suddenly came to my mind and I realized that I had enough baggage for a fleet of cruise ships stored away in my heart. That day I let go of my right to 30 years of hurt and pain. For the first time ever, I felt free.
For more information on forgiveness, email us at
forgiveness@thebutterflypoem.org
MAHATMA GANDHI
Forgiveness. Oft’ overlooked, WAY under practiced, far and away the key to successful living, and yet largely ignored. Why is this not taught from infancy? Forgiveness should be a class taught in school and tested for, like a drivers test, at least once a year.
I spent 30 years of my life full of anger about the wrongs done to me until one day there was no room for anything else. Bitterness and anger are like a disease that will eventually poison every area of your life. Unforgiveness will destroy you. There are no exceptions.
One day I wrote out a list. On that list was the name of every person I could remember that had offended me. Every instance of every slight was jotted down in great detail and let me tell you, the list was long. It was a very painful process. When I was done with the list, I went into my room alone and I spoke each person’s name aloud, recalling each incident and verbally said “I forgive you and let you go.” The key here was, I meant it. In my mind, as I said their name, I pictured a little tiny boat that I set on fire and put out to sea like a mini Viking funeral.
It took a long time to get through the list. You’ll be amazed at the memories that will crop up while you go through the process. Things I had forgotten for years suddenly came to my mind and I realized that I had enough baggage for a fleet of cruise ships stored away in my heart. That day I let go of my right to 30 years of hurt and pain. For the first time ever, I felt free.
For more information on forgiveness, email us at
forgiveness@thebutterflypoem.org
The Butterfly Project© 2009
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