Have You Ever Been Wronged By Someone?

This Week's Simple Tip: I was talking at lunch today with someone who shared a story about a person saying something to her that really was hurtful. She described it as one of those things "that most people would never say to another person." I could completely understand how she felt having experienced something similar in the past. We then talked about the importance of forgiveness to help transform hurt into healing and peace. Many people choose not to forgive because they look at it as letting someone off the hook for a wrongdoing. Interestingly, it is really more to set yourself free so that you can move forward in your own life. I shared with her a loving kindness exercise I do when someone has hurt me. Sitting comfortably, take a couple deep breaths and say:

May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be safe from inner and outer dangers. May I be well in mind and body. May I be at ease and happy.

Repeat the blessing four more times, but this time for others instead of yourself. Substitute "I" with:

1st. The name of a loved one 2nd. The name of someone I am in conflict with, or keeping me awake :) 3rd. The description of someone neutral in my life, e.g. the helpful clerk 4th. All of humanity Doing this each day for a couple of weeks is sure to help transform forgiveness into empathy so you peacefully move on with your life!

This Week's Focus:

This week, consider beginning the work to forgive someone who has wronged you in the past. Beside the reward of letting go of anger or hurt, there are powerful health benefits that go hand-in-hand with the practice of forgiveness: lower heart rate and blood pressure, improved sleep quality, and overall stress relief.