Forgiveness

I have been going to an amazing counseling class 3 nights a week for 3 hours a night. The class part of it is only 8 weeks and I am graduating in a couple weeks, then I go onto what they call "After Care" once a week. I have learned SO much! Matt comes EVERY Wednesday for "family night". He loves it as well. Last Wed we talked a lot on what forgiveness "is" and "isn't". 

It has really enlightened me on how I am to move on with my life. I have learned how to look at all kinds of perspectives in all kinds of situations. I have met all kinds of different people in different walks of life. A HUGE eye opener. They are GREAT people! Through learning about them, and what they have gone through, I realize my life is really WONDERFUL!! I have an AMAZING husband!! He loves me unconditionally! He has been hurt the worst in everything that has happened, yet he is the one who is there backing me up and lifting me up everyday. I have a pretty amazing support system! My mom, ALL my family, Matt's mom and sisters have all been incredible. 

I am doing AMAZING! I've never felt better! I'll tell my whole story another day. But today I wanna share what I learned on Wed at family night...

FORGIVENESS

BEFORE FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS IS TRULY POSSIBLE, YOU MUST OWN WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU. YOU MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE LOSSES, FEEL THE FEELINGS.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

FORGIVENESS IS NOT FORGETTING.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT CONDONING.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT ABSOLUTION. THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT THEY DID TO US.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT A FORM OF SELF SACRIFICE. 

FORGIVENESS IS NOT NEVER AGAIN BEING ANGRY ABOUT THE ISSUE.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT A CLEAR CUT, ONE TIME DECISION.

FORGIVENESS IS:

FORGIVENESS IS RECOGNIZING WE NO LONGER NEED OUR GRUDGES AND RESENTMENTS, OUR HATRED AND SELF PITY.

FORGIVENESS IS NO LONGER WANTING TO PUNISH THE PEOPLE WHO HURT US. 

FORGIVENESS IS WHAT HAPPENS NATURALLY AS A RESULT OF CONFRONTING PAST PAINFUL EXPERIENCES AND HEALING OLD WOUNDS.

FORGIVENESS IS AN INTERNAL PROCESS. IT HAPPENS WITHIN. 

WITH FORGIVENESS, WE NO LONGER BUILD AN IDENTITY AROUND SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO US IN THE PAST.

FORGIVENESS IS REMEMBERING, AND LETTING GO

I read this often! I love it. I hope anyone who reads this finds it useful and interesting.