Day 5_Your Gift to You

Hola!

Before we jump into today's navitent, take a moment to get quiet.

A full 60 seconds.

Ignore all the thoughts and impulses. Just sit still and think of one good thing that has happened to you that you valued more than anything. You may want to write about it below.

Now let's move on to another gift that should be highly prized.

We talked a lot about forgiveness in 'Blind Spots'. (If you haven't gone through it, you may want to consider it after 'Justice'.)

Forgiveness is releasing the offense, the resentment and power that someone has over you. It's a gift to yourself.

It's best described as the decision to release yourself from the pain of injustice, not allowing the offender(s) or the experience to have control over you any longer. You move from memories that hold you back to ones that give you hope for your future.

Forgiveness doesn't say it was okay, as you heard in Kate O'Brien's video. It's a way to heal, move on and open your heart to new people and experiences that are good for you.

How much are you able to see forgiveness as a gift to yourself?

This is an important point, and we've touched on it before. Joseph's secret (from Day 3 and 4) was in the way he viewed his circumstances.

There was no question that they sucked. But he learned that he could focus on the injustice or he could focus on the man he'd become.

He chose the later, and his legacy is integrity, intelligence, compassion, humility, wisdom, power and leadership.

How much does his story inspire you to move forward and grow?

If you feel ready to do so, practice forgiving - letting go - by saying the following:

“(Fill in the name) I release you from having any hold on my life. The resentment and constant memories stop here. My life is now my own. I'm taking back my power.”

Are you ready to do this?

We understand if you weren't yet ready to do the above exercise. All we ask is that you remember it for the time when you become ready.

If you did do it, describe how you feel.

*What's changed inside?
*What do you like better about yourself?
*In what way do you feel you stronger?

What would you tell someone else who's dealing with something similar?

How does it make you feel to offer hope to someone who could use encouragement?

That's an invaluable gift, don't you think?

Treat yourself well today. Ask someone to treat you to a coffee, ice cream or whatever puts a smile on your face without any after effects. How likely are you to do this?

See you tomorrow!