by Audrey Sutton Mills
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by Audrey Sutton Mills
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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.
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YOU ARE ENOUGH
YOU MATTER!
COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
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.
&
YOU ARE ENOUGH
YOU MATTER!
COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
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.
&
YOU ARE ENOUGH
YOU MATTER!
COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
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.
&
YOU ARE ENOUGH
YOU MATTER!
COME HOME TO YOURSELF,
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
YOUR SOUL AND YOUR TRUTH.
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.