Forgiveness

How do I know when I have forgiven?

How do I know when I need to forgive?

Are there various layers of forgiveness?

How many times do I have to forgive the same person? Or myself?

What does it feel like when I have forgiven?

When I think about forgiveness these are some of the questions that come to mind, which often keeps me stuck. So… you are going to get some ramblings about each of these questions.

How do I know when I have forgiven?

Are there various layers of forgiveness?

How many times do I have to forgive the same person? Or myself?

These three questions, for me, seem to blend a bit. I will tell myself I have forgiven someone (or myself), whether it is in general, or for a specific thing, but then, sometimes even months or years later, I find myself feeling anger or resentment for the same thing.

When this happens, I tell myself I must not have forgiven them (or me) fully before. It can be a bit frustrating, but I guess that is the journey. Each time, hopefully I go a bit deeper, healing a little bit more!

How do I know when I need to forgive?

I trust my gut. Keeping in mind, forgiving someone heals me, it does not in any way dismiss the others behavior or actions. If I have the thought, “I need to forgive____”  that is the answer.

What does it feel like when I have forgiven?

Great question….. as I am still challenged with the first three questions! Sometimes I tell myself I have forgiven the ten years of abuse I endured, but I wonder if I am just hiding from or stuffing the anger and resentment I have.

The reason I question this is, I can feel as if I have forgiven, moving on with my life in peace and beginning to feel joy in my life again and then BAM! I am triggered by something, and it all comes rushing back, feeling as if I haven’t done any work at all in this area.

I guess these questions must be answered by everyone in their own time.

Let me know what you think!