The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Posted on May 29, 2009 in health | 3 comments

The other day I had my first appointment with a chiropractor that my friend recommended. And to my surprise she talked about how gratitude and forgiveness are extremely important elements to our health. Right up there with a healthy, balanced diet.

This is the first time I ever heard a doctor say this. She even tossed in the power of visualization. I instantly warmed to her as she verified what I’ve been practicing for almost a year now.

I told her I get the gratitude and visualization thing, but what’s this about forgiveness? I know to let things go, water off a duck’s back, move on, don’t look back. But are there actual steps to forgiving?

She handed me this simple print:

Steps to Forgiveness

  1. Forgive the other person for causing you the feeling.
  2. Give the other person permission to forgive you for having the feeling.
  3. Forgive yourself for any harm that has come from that feeling.
  4. Wish the person well.

I instantly made forgiveness part of my daily routine. Anytime someone pushes my buttons, I turn around and forgive. At the end of the day when I’m recapping the greatness in my life, I forgive the not so great things. And sometimes I go way back to people who riled me years ago and I forgive.

Each time I forgive it’s as if a big bag of bricks is taken off my back. I feel lighter, relieved, and well, healthier.

What I love about the forgiveness steps is that I’m not just forgiving others for their actions, I’m also forgiving myself for mine. Something I failed to do before.

Imagine a world where everyone is filled with gratitude and forgiveness. To simple things that cost us nothing but a few moments time and some sincere thoughts. Yet powerful enough to change everything.

3 Comments

  1. Maybeth - June 22, 2009

    One of my favorite quotes about forgivess is from Mark Twain:
    “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”

  2. Baraginie - July 27, 2009

    Your post echoes what I felt earlier this year.
    I am a teacher and one of the students I spent 2 years helping told me to “F.. off back to France”. I was so hurt and carried the anger for weeks, avoiding him and refusing to even teach him.
    But I grew tired of it, so asked to meet with him, talked through my feelings and said I was angry but forgave him, and hoped that his remark wouldn’t stain his school report nor his future. It was a very scary and emotional thing to do, but it felt amazing.

  3. Stacy Kolbeck - September 18, 2009

    I love you, Carla!! It seems like I search for things to improve on in my life and then I suddenly remember your website. Each time I visit it, I am inspired. This entry especially made me stop and think. You know how competitive I am. I am playing VB and that is one sport where I am just average. And I don’t like it, but I don’t care enough to get better b/c frankly, at 41 yrs of age it doesn’t matter that much. BUT< and that’s a big BUT, I still try to compete to the best of my abilities. One of my teammates “talked down” to me and I was ticked. I was even ticked at her the next week. And you know what, it’s harder to stay mad at someone than it is to be friends with them. Thankfully I came across your entry and thought, “Duh, Stacy, you big baby. Get over it.” Thanks for lending me those steps via your chiropractor. I am off to create a hard copy of a vision board as I am a little behind on technology and do not yet have an iphone!! You can smile and curse my husband!!! Just kidding. Have a super day.

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  1. The Healing Power of Forgiveness « My II Sense: Conscious Living | Personal Development - [...] *4 Steps to Forgiveness courtesy of the Carla Kay White blog [...]

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