Page 47 - Creeative Thinking

A THRIVER is someone who uses their own negative experiences as a tool to help
enrich their own life and the lives of others. This can be achieved in a variety of ways.
Many people choose to become teachers or to provide emotional or psychological
support for other victims of abuse. Equally as important, though are those individuals
who simply lend an ear or a much needed shoulder to cry on.

The most effective way of disposing of that negative energy is to turn it in to positive
energy. Although it is never an easy goal to achieve, forgiveness may, in fact, be the
only way to alter the negativity created by unpleasant experiences. Instead of holding
on to any unnecessary emotions, forgiving your abuser enables you to learn some of
life’s precious lessons, thereby creating positive energy forces.

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful and complex words in the English language.
Although the word itself gets used quite regularly, I am not sure the majority of us
have a complete grasp of its’ meaning. Consequently, I believe the gift of forgiveness
is not handed out as often as it could be.

In order for you to truly forgive a particular individual, you will need to consciously
put forth an honest effort. If you are not ready to do so or are attempting to forgive
someone for reasons other than your own, you may not be successful in you
endeavour. Forgiving is something that you must do for your own reasons and at your
own pace. So take plenty of time to think things through and get your thoughts and
emotions in order.

The gift of forgiveness comes in two very different packages. It is a gift that can be
kept for yourself or it can be given away to whomever you feel deserves such a gift.
There is however one very important common denominator in both cases. They both
require a great deal of love.

Because many of us tend to be much harder on ourselves than we are on others, the
first type, self-forgiveness, tends to be the most difficult of the set.

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