Forgiveness is a common theme in my novels because it’s
an often overlooked practice that delivers great benefits.
When someone we care about hurts us, it’s natural to
feel angry and resentful, and to carry a grudge against the offender. However,
these upsets can leave lasting impressions of bitterness that impact our physical,
emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Ironically, if you don’t practice forgiveness, you are
the one who suffers the most.
Embracing forgiveness allows us to experience peace, love,
joy, and hope. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you agree with whatever occurred or
that you want to make up with the person who caused you harm. It does, however,
provide you with a sense of peace that allows you to move on.
How does one go about forgiving? A model by psychologist Robert Enright
outlines four steps. The first is to identify your anger and any ways you have
avoided your emotions. The second step is to simply make the decision to
forgive. A good place to begin is by acknowledging that ignoring or muddling
through with the offense hasn’t worked and that forgiveness is a path forward.
Third, develop compassion for the person who hurt you. Ponder
whether the act was due to ill intent or whether it was due to beliefs, circumstances,
and/or conditioning in the offender’s life. Finally, release any lingering harmful
emotions and consider how you may have grown from the act of forgiveness.
According to the Mayo Clinic, letting go of grudges and bitterness
can create improved overall health and peace of mind. Benefits of forgiveness include:
·
Healthier relationships
·
Improved mental health
·
Less anxiety, stress, and hostility
·
Lower blood pressure
·
Fewer symptoms of depression
·
A stronger immune system
·
Improved heart health
·
Improved self-esteem
While forgiveness isn’t always easy, it brings about significant
health benefits and a sense of peace that helps you move forward in your life.
“Forgiveness is not always easy. At times it feels
more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it.
And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.”—Marianne Williamson
Forgiveness Excerpts from the Racing
Hearts in Serenity Series:
*
From Restart in Bristol:
Holly leaned back in her chair,
pondering Skye’s wisdom. If Skye could forgive Brad, maybe it was time for
Holly to forgive, too. She had a lot of forgiveness to contemplate. Maybe she
needed to forgive her parents for not understanding her needs as a child and
for not giving her more security. She needed to forgive both Curtis and herself
for the deep hurt they had caused each other. If they could move beyond the
pain of their breakup, maybe they would create space for something new.
*
From The Perfect Lap:
Last week in church, Ella’s minister had talked
about forgiveness. Pastor Sue had indicated that holding onto hurt and
resentment harms the person holding the negative feelings more than the alleged
violator. As a believer in the Law of Attraction, Ella understood that when she
felt angry and resentful, she was putting out negative vibrations which
attracted more of the same.
It was time for her to let go of her bitterness
toward Dierks. He clearly hadn’t been the man for her, so why was she wasting
her precious energy on negative thoughts and feelings toward him? She supposed
it was a long-held habit, but she was ready to let go of the toxicity.
*
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary
romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
Restart
in Bristol, A Racing Hearts in
Serenity Romance—He’s
a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another
pass at love? https://amzn.to/37cCw1b
The
Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in
Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance
Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him.
When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity
Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Contemporary Romance Bronze winner and 2019 NIEA
Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women
like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX
To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter,
please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ …No spam—ever!
Recommended
Reading:
Disclosure:
The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book
through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended
these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of
the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify
these as affiliate links.
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