IMAGINE Magazine Autumn 2015 Volume 1 Number 1 | Page 11

Every 60 seconds you spend angry, I magine upset or mad is a full minute of Lyrics by John Lennon happiness you will never get back. - Author unknown Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us you’ve forgiven and then BOOM! Something happens that triggers you right back to that same hurt or anger. Realize and accept that this is the onion phenomenon - you just have another layer to deal with. If you are in a situation where you can’t forgive because the offender keeps re-offending you, there are resources available that can help. l You will let the offender off the hook if you forgive. l It would mean you somehow agree with or condone their bad behavior. l It would mean you have to trust that person again. l It means you must have a relationship with that person. l It means that you are weak. 5 But once you decide to practice “living with forgiveness” it will be easier to release and let go on a regular basis. You will find that you do not get as caught up in the trauma-drama of your friends and family. Things that might have made you angry will suddenly not be a big deal. In other words, you will find more peace in your life. Only you can decide if you are willing to let go of your emotional baggage and grudges from the past. If you believe that your thoughts create your reality, why would you allow hurtful, harmful thoughts to reside within? My clients tell me they do believe that thoughts create their reality, and I often respond, “Yes, but what if you REALLY believed it? What if you believed it whole heartedly, not just intellectually? How would your life be different?” I leave you with this final question: How can your forgiveness practice be your daily apple? Build your forgiveness muscle Research also supports the fact that forgiveness reduces stress and when practiced, is a factor for staying healthy. For example, the Forgiveness Project, in cooperation with the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, has stated that cancer, and other life-altering diseases, can benefit from forgiveness. Many patients live in a state of chronic ‘unforgiveness—a holding onto anger, hate and resentment. When that is released, researchers found that immune systems are enhanced. So if we know that forgiveness actually increases health, why are people reticent to forgive? Oftentimes people do not want to forgive because they believe one of these common myths or misperceptions about forgiveness: Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... Imagine there’s no countries %Ё