Page 46 - Creeative Thinking

Now that you’ve made the decision to change your life and have begun to create a
more positive energy force around yourself, the next step is to learn how to give the gift
of forgiveness. While you may want to forgive an individual who has hurt you in the
past, a certain amount of self-forgiving could also be in order.

Although it is not always an easy goal to accomplish, forgiveness is an extremely
important step toward purging negativity from your life. If not properly disposed of,
negative forces will almost certainly cause you misfortune and pain. This is especially
true because, even though you may have erased the memory of an unpleasant
experience, the negative energy it created lingers on. Just like the “Energizer Bunny”,
if we don’t put a stop to negativity, it just keeps going and going and going.

The entire concept of forgiveness is an extremely complex one. Aside from the true
definition of the word, forgiveness also carries around certain connotations and
implications that many of us may not even be aware of. So let’s clear up a few of these
right away, shall we?

It is important to remember that just because you have chosen to forgive someone does
not mean that you condone his behaviour. You can forgive someone for inappropriate
action without saying that what he did was right. Forgiveness is a way of
acknowledging that you were mistreated and not condoning it, but saying that you no
longer wish to be a prisoner of your tragic past. By saying this, you are able to let go
of some of the feelings that keep you trapped by your abuse.

Otherwise, even though you may have suppressed the memory of a specific abusive
situation, the negativity it created remains until you are able to forgive the perpetrator.
Though a considerable amount of time may have lapsed since the abuse, neglect or
mistreatment, the wound it left behind may be as deep as if it happened only yesterday.
Until you have truly forgiven the perpetrator you will hold on to the resulting
negativity indefinitely.

This enables you to perpetuate your role as victim until such time as you take the steps
necessary to be able to move on to the role of survivor. Forgiveness is the most effective
way I know to become a survivor and leave the role of victim far behind.
Eventually, a negative experience, if you face it, own it, and dispose of it, will take you
from the role of victim, through the role of survivor and on to your next role: THRIVER.

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