Forgiveness
Develop a standard by which you earn your own forgiveness.
Despite what society has taught us, forgiveness is not a lofty pseudo-noble gift from on high that’s doled out with an eye dropper at the whim of a laissez-faire, ego-poisoned deity.
Forgiveness is a process. It is a process that each of us works daily, and it is a process that works easiest when earned, at least in the beginning. (a) When you utter the phrase “It is what it is” in the face of an undesired outcome and move on without carrying that disappointment as a banner you have practiced forgiveness. (b) When you tell someone who let you down “I know you didn’t want to let me down, I realize you regret that, I’ll be ok.” And you move through your disappointment determined to continue making your life happen on your terms, you have practiced forgiveness. (c) When you remove someone from your life (permanently or temporarily) as a result of their destructive intentions that they will not cease; and you consciously heal and let go of the victimhood you could have held yourself back with, you have practiced forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the process of releasing victimhood. To GIVE your victimhood to a higher power that you may move FORward is to for-give. The first person you must learn to forgive is yourself; the last person you will learn to forgive without the need to “earn” forgiveness is yourself. When that cycle is complete you have attained… grasshopper.