Practicing Forgiveness to Make Your Days Better

Studies show that holding on to anger or refusing to forgive can have detrimental health effects- both physical and mental. Practice letting go of old vendettas, conflicts, or problems and see how truly liberating it can be. Forgiveness can make everyday life better- lighter and brighter- which can have positive impacts on your overall wellbeing.

Do you forgive others easily? How about forgiving yourself? In fact, most of us judge ourselves much harsher than others and are reluctant to forgive ourselves for the most minor of errors, mistakes, or indiscretions. Holding on to anger or resentment does no good and judging harshly based on the past is a fruitless endeavor that fosters cynicism and ill health.

Practice forgiving others and yourself and note how much lighter and better you feel. In a world of uncertainty, being the first to forgive can free up energy and resources for other areas of life that are positive and productive. It takes practice so don’t be too hard on yourself if you lapse- just try again- it truly can make life better. Also, accessibility can also improve everyday life; reach out to learn more about mobility aids and equipment.

Why Should I Forgive?

It is natural to become angry or to have a conflict with others from time to time- however, prolonged anger can have negative health consequences and risks. Some of the repercussions of refusing or failing to forgive include an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Emotionally speaking, holding on to anger can create cynicism and a sense of dissatisfaction with overall life that can be deteriorating and even debilitating. Why should you forgive? You should forgive to improve the quality of your own everyday life; it is that simple.

What If I Cannot Forgive?

Sometimes, forgiveness requires time and perspective. Stepping away from a situation to carefully consider when and how to forgive may be needed to move on. So, what if I just cannot forgive someone- or myself? There are a few things that may help you forgive:

• Write a heartfelt letter related to the incident or event that you are angry or upset over. Whether you choose to mail the letter or not, just getting your feelings off your chest may be enough to pave the way to forgiveness.
• Do it purposefully to free yourself from the unnecessary burden of hanging on to anger. Consider how it is weighing your down.
• Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. If you are struggling with forgiving yourself, try to remember the time and situation objectively, and use empathy in understanding why you may have done, said, or felt the way that you did at the time.

Remember, forgiving someone else for something is as much about letting yourself off the hook as it is the other person; holding on to resentment can be exhausting. Forgiving oneself can be more challenging, but more on that later.

How Can I Move Past It?

The best way to move past an issue and forgive is to not let it gain traction to begin with. Learn some tips and tricks to abate your anger and get over conflicts fast. These are some tactics for times of duress or conflict:

• Step away.
• Breathe deeply.
• Shift your focus.
• Get some physical exercise.
• Take a hot shower.
• Take a little time to choose your words carefully.

Practice controlling and managing anger to prevent it from festering and becoming a major issue in your life. Anger is a natural emotion but don’t let it impact the quality of your life.

Practice Forgiveness

International Forgiveness Day is on August 1, 2021– why not make this the day that you will forgive somebody? This global event strives to create momentum and move toward an improved life quality for all who participate. Take responsibility for your role in whatever angst you have with someone else and be a part of the movement toward ownership and forgiveness occurring during this event. The aim is to pave the way for forgiveness and a more positive future experience.

Isn’t life difficult enough already? Try not to hang on to old conflicts or unresolved anger with others or yourself. Treat yourself as gently as you would an old friend- it really can soften your internal voice- which can have a ripple effect of positivity across your entire life. Forgiveness can take some work and you may fall back into old feelings of anger or confusion- be kind and patient with yourself. The more forgiving you are of yourself, the easier it will be to treat others the same way. Try it!

Forgive someone for something, but even more importantly, practice forgiving yourself. Everyone has regrets- let go of anger toward someone and see how truly transformative it can be. For all of your accessibility needs, talk to the team at Pacific Mobility.