Categories: Inspiration

by Audrey Sutton Mills

Share

Categories: Inspiration

by Audrey Sutton Mills

Share

Forgiveness waits in letting go of our ledgers of injustice and retribution in order to regain the feeling in our heart – Mark Nepo

Gabrielle Bernstein calls forgiveness the dreaded “F-word”, probably because it is so hard to do. Forgiving yourself and others is essential to becoming whole, happy, and free.

There is an old saying that you should forgive, but never forget. This saying implies that you are still holding onto resentment, so that you can protect yourself from getting hurt again.  It’s understandable to view forgiveness as weak, but in reality, it is pure courage. You can lovingly forgive, and choose to not have contact with that person. Forgiveness is acknowledging the wrongdoings, bravely recognizing the sufferings of the past, empathizing with the conditions that brought them about, and finding the strength to forgive so these things won’t happen again.

When you have a fist like hold on your resentment and anger, you are prolonging your suffering and restricting the amount of love, peace, bliss and happiness you are able to receive. You can never be whole and healed as long as you keep the fires of anger, resentment, and retribution burning.

We put a lot of pressure and high expectations on other people, but at the end of the day, we are human, and we all make mistakes that can hurt others. At the root of this behavior is the fear of not being good enough, un-worthy, un-lovable, damaged, and alone. When you can peel back all of the external layers, we are simply souls trying to do the best we can with what we’ve got at this time.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean you condone their unjust and harmful behavior or justify these painful events. Having empathy towards the other person allows you to see, heart to heart, the situation from their perspective and the conditions that may have led them to harm you. This is different than extending sympathy, which implies a hierarchy and judgment. Love cannot exist when there is resentment.

When you forgive what is broken in another, you mend the fragmented pieces of your own heart. You can unchain your heart and stop reliving the wounds of the past.  When you are compassionate and empathetic, you exchange your vengeance for inner freedom, releasing the bonds of past suffering. You are able to learn the gift of the situation and you are stronger for it. Forgiveness is the gift you give to another, and it is also your reward. It lightens your heart and liberates your soul to return to love and wholeness.

 

  Weekly Practice:     I release anger and resentment and am love.

* This article contains excepts from Audrey Sutton’s book “The Blissful Bitch” due out in 2014.

STAY IN THE LOOP

Subscribe to our free newsletter.

Don’t have an account yet? Get started with a 12-day free trial

Related Posts

  • &

    YOU ARE ENOUGH
    YOU MATTER!

    COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
    YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
    I am Audrey!

    HEY SOUL SISTER!

    I’m Audrey | Yoga Instructor, Soul Mentor, Podcaster, Writer & New Mom

    I know what it’s like to feel unfulfilled, alone, and not good enough. I’ve taken the hard journey of leaving a life I thought I wanted to discover the life I was destined to live. I’m here to help YOU walk the path of deeper self-love to the person YOU are meant to be. It’s my mission to inspire you to whole-heartedly love yourself, embody your worth and live your most expansive life. Take it from someone who’s been there.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special one-time pilot program where I’ll be coaching you for 2 weeks, and be right there with you! I’m SO excited you’ll be a part of it.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special 3 week online course to inspire you to get grounded,
    embody self-kindness and attune to your inner wisdom.
    This is your personal retreat with doable and small acts of kindness to
    help you come home to yourself. 

    TRANSFORMATIONAL 7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth

    your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    TRANSFORMATIONAL
    7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    MINDFUL PAUSE PODCAST

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with
    other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    SOUL SCHOOL WITH AUDREY

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    IN PERSON + VIRTUAL

    EVENTS &
    RETREATS

    Getaway with me and treat yourself or join me

    close to home for soul-loving events.

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR WEEKLY DOSE OF LOVE
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR YOUR FREE NEWSLETTER

    CONNECT WITH ME FOR
    MORE SELF LOVE

    JOIN ME IN THE
    CONVERSATION OF CURATING
    MORE SELF LOVE

  • &

    YOU ARE ENOUGH
    YOU MATTER!

    COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
    YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
    I am Audrey!

    HEY SOUL SISTER!

    I’m Audrey | Yoga Instructor, Soul Mentor, Podcaster, Writer & New Mom

    I know what it’s like to feel unfulfilled, alone, and not good enough. I’ve taken the hard journey of leaving a life I thought I wanted to discover the life I was destined to live. I’m here to help YOU walk the path of deeper self-love to the person YOU are meant to be. It’s my mission to inspire you to whole-heartedly love yourself, embody your worth and live your most expansive life. Take it from someone who’s been there.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special one-time pilot program where I’ll be coaching you for 2 weeks, and be right there with you! I’m SO excited you’ll be a part of it.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special 3 week online course to inspire you to get grounded,
    embody self-kindness and attune to your inner wisdom.
    This is your personal retreat with doable and small acts of kindness to
    help you come home to yourself. 

    TRANSFORMATIONAL 7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth

    your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    TRANSFORMATIONAL
    7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    MINDFUL PAUSE PODCAST

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with
    other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    SOUL SCHOOL WITH AUDREY

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    IN PERSON + VIRTUAL

    EVENTS &
    RETREATS

    Getaway with me and treat yourself or join me

    close to home for soul-loving events.

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR WEEKLY DOSE OF LOVE
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR YOUR FREE NEWSLETTER

    CONNECT WITH ME FOR
    MORE SELF LOVE

    JOIN ME IN THE
    CONVERSATION OF CURATING
    MORE SELF LOVE

  • &

    YOU ARE ENOUGH
    YOU MATTER!

    COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
    YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
    I am Audrey!

    HEY SOUL SISTER!

    I’m Audrey | Yoga Instructor, Soul Mentor, Podcaster, Writer & New Mom

    I know what it’s like to feel unfulfilled, alone, and not good enough. I’ve taken the hard journey of leaving a life I thought I wanted to discover the life I was destined to live. I’m here to help YOU walk the path of deeper self-love to the person YOU are meant to be. It’s my mission to inspire you to whole-heartedly love yourself, embody your worth and live your most expansive life. Take it from someone who’s been there.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special one-time pilot program where I’ll be coaching you for 2 weeks, and be right there with you! I’m SO excited you’ll be a part of it.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special 3 week online course to inspire you to get grounded,
    embody self-kindness and attune to your inner wisdom.
    This is your personal retreat with doable and small acts of kindness to
    help you come home to yourself. 

    TRANSFORMATIONAL 7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth

    your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    TRANSFORMATIONAL
    7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    MINDFUL PAUSE PODCAST

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with
    other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    SOUL SCHOOL WITH AUDREY

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    IN PERSON + VIRTUAL

    EVENTS &
    RETREATS

    Getaway with me and treat yourself or join me

    close to home for soul-loving events.

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR WEEKLY DOSE OF LOVE
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR YOUR FREE NEWSLETTER

    CONNECT WITH ME FOR
    MORE SELF LOVE

    JOIN ME IN THE
    CONVERSATION OF CURATING
    MORE SELF LOVE

  • &

    YOU ARE ENOUGH
    YOU MATTER!

    COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
    YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
    I am Audrey!

    HEY SOUL SISTER!

    I’m Audrey | Yoga Instructor, Soul Mentor, Podcaster, Writer & New Mom

    I know what it’s like to feel unfulfilled, alone, and not good enough. I’ve taken the hard journey of leaving a life I thought I wanted to discover the life I was destined to live. I’m here to help YOU walk the path of deeper self-love to the person YOU are meant to be. It’s my mission to inspire you to whole-heartedly love yourself, embody your worth and live your most expansive life. Take it from someone who’s been there.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special one-time pilot program where I’ll be coaching you for 2 weeks, and be right there with you! I’m SO excited you’ll be a part of it.

    Self Love Lab

    SELF LOVE LAB is a special 3 week online course to inspire you to get grounded,
    embody self-kindness and attune to your inner wisdom.
    This is your personal retreat with doable and small acts of kindness to
    help you come home to yourself. 

    TRANSFORMATIONAL 7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth

    your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    TRANSFORMATIONAL
    7-WEEK PROGRAM

    SOUL SCHOOL

    Dive deep into your Soul, shed limited beliefs and unearth your gifts to become the person you are meant to be.

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    SOUL MUSINGS

    ON THE BLOG

    Peek inside my personal journal of real life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me.

    RECENT POSTS

    MINDFUL PAUSE PODCAST

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with
    other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    SOUL SCHOOL WITH AUDREY

    PODCAST

    Transformational stories & conversations with other soul seekers who have created their most meaningful life.

    Audrey’s Top 5 Episodes

    IN PERSON + VIRTUAL

    EVENTS &
    RETREATS

    Getaway with me and treat yourself or join me

    close to home for soul-loving events.

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon

    MORE FREEBIES (JUST FOR YOU!)

    Weekly Self-Love Journal
    Monthly Intention Card
    How to Meditate
    Coming soon
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR WEEKLY DOSE OF LOVE
    Loading...

    SIGN UP

    FOR YOUR FREE NEWSLETTER

    CONNECT WITH ME FOR
    MORE SELF LOVE

    JOIN ME IN THE
    CONVERSATION OF CURATING
    MORE SELF LOVE