Blazing New Trails begins with Forgiveness

Posted by LeeAnn on May 31st, 2010 at 01:17pm

All spiritual teachers recommend or even require a forgiveness practice –

We are not victims; we are however, unconscious participants in a tug-of-war of unmet needs. If we want to blaze new trails, we have to be willing to let go of the past and that includes letting go of hurts.

Forgiveness begins with personal responsibility – it never means that we condone the act of violence be it verbal or physical – It simply means we have a desire to move beyond that continued attachment to the memory of the event. It means we are willing to give up being continuously victimized. We are anchored to our past through our pain. Freedom comes with the courage to let go. When we cut the cords of our story and bless our “teachers” no matter in what form they come in, we move to a new stage in our growth and development.

No matter how many times I revisit forgiveness, there are new layers that emerge and at the same time my heart opens a little wider giving me new access to what it means to love as God loves – to love unconditionally.

I have had to pray through, sometimes, gritted teeth – Please bless this person, please this teacher. And I know I too have played a role.

At times I have had to ask God to reveal the role I have played so that I might lay down with what is mine.

I have had to ask to see through their eyes – I have been humbled by what I have seen.

Later, as I have been more willing to be moved by compassion – I have learned to pray and affirm for them. I have learned to stop and ask the question – What is it that this person needs or is seeking that would make them act this way? What is it that they hunger for?

I thank God for all the teachers that have crossed my path. I give thanks for each of my teachers who have called me to growth when I would rather have played small and stayed in my comfort zone. I give thanks that they have nudged me in to discovering who I really am and why I am here and that it is time for me to grow beyond my story and my illusions. I give thanks for forcing me to stand in my own truth, strength and integrity. May they be blessed beyond their wildest imagination!

I hold each to the light and say:

I see you healthy, happy and filled with love. You are fully forgiven.

I see you living your gifts, prosperous in all ways – experiencing success.

What I give to another comes back to me. I am always blessed in the process of forgiveness and I am given the freedom to blaze new trails in my own life. I invite you to experience the freedom that comes with forgiveness. Take the step – it is worth it!

Happy trails!