Being Me: Week 18

"There is a nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness." 

Being Me: Week 18 (Forgiveness to yourself and others)

April theme: Water your roots so your soul can blossom

You hear it all the time, forgiveness is a choice. By choosing forgiveness you are also choosing peace, joy, hope and gratitude, which are all a pathway towards emotional well being. But whether the forgiveness you seek is towards others or yourself the benefits are impactful.

When you forgive you heal, when you let go, you grow

It has taken many years to learn forgiveness, and often takes a journey of emotions to get there. Sometimes the bigger difficulty is forgiving ourselves. The regret and guilt I carried after Ryan died took many years to unravel. And more recently the death of my mother left regret that I am still working to forgive.  Regardless of others reassurance, forgiveness is a state we must arrive at in our own time.

 According to the Mayo Clinic forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships
• Improved mental health
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Improved heart health
• Improved self-esteem

But how do you come to terms with forgiveness? One step is to remove yourself from being the victim, releasing the control and power the offending person or situation had in your life. When you let go of grudges, you won't be defined by how you've been hurt. You might even find compassion and understanding.

  Themes for each month to journal, create or contemplate on your journey

• January - The best time for new beginnings is now

1. Morning routine
2. Mission statement
3. Create your YES list
4. Goals, baby steps, tiny promises
5. Putting it in motion

• February - Before anything else, find yourself, be yourself and love yourself

1. Take care of your body
2. Meditation and solitude
3. Food choices and ideas for change
4. What makes you happy

• March - All you need is tea and warm socks

1. Enjoy the simple things
2. Letting go of thoughts and things
3. Both hands
4. Mindfulness (social media and smart phones)
5. Setting intentions

• April - Water your roots so your soul can blossom

1. Water and other things we need to grow
2. Time to blossom
3. The 3 R's

• May -  The difference between a flower and a weed is judgment
• June - Believe you can and your halfway there
• July - Bold stripes, bright stars, brave hearts
• August - We are who we choose to be
• September - Sometimes we can learn and study & know, and sometimes we have to believe, trust and hope
• October - We can't become what we want by remaining what we are
• November - Small seeds of gratitude will provide a harvest of hope
• December - Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of hope

 Mission Statement:  I will improve my overall health and wellness, use kindness and inspiration with a vision that creates  a community of giving and in doing so achieve my purpose in this life.   

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