The quote for today on the theme of  forgiveness is: 

There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love. Bryant McGill

Building upon that quote, the best investment that you can make in your relationship is forgiveness.  It returns your efforts 1,000 fold.  It is the highest, most beautiful form of love.  When you love someone deeply, then you have set the stage for true forgiveness.

The Nature of Forgiveness

This is a very confusing subject.  Many are unclear about the true nature of forgiveness.  Does it mean that they get off scott free?  Even from a very bad act?  That doesn’ t seem fair, does it?  You have been injured – don’t you have the right to sit there and stew about it for as long as you like?

Yes, you do.

But for how long?  How much time today do you want to allocate to stewing about the incident?  How much time this week?  And how exactly is this serving you?  Where is the benefit?

Let’s Sort it Out

So let’s be clear.  The act of granting forgiveness to others does not mean that you approve or necessarily condone their questionable acts.  The act of granting forgiveness doesn’t equate to you completely forgetting about their questionable acts.

What does it mean?  True forgiveness means that you have moved past the action itself and have forgiven the person. Upon your act of forgiveness, you have cleared your mind and no longer harbor bad feelings toward them.  You have shed the resentment.  Medical studies show that harboring resentment  is harmful to you and your health, it increases stress, and often has no effect whatsoever on the other person.  So why do it?

Shedding any remnants  of resentment enables you to replace those negative feelings with positive feelings.  Your act of forgiveness raises your energy level and brightens your outlook.  All good here.

Forgiveness Action Plan

Think about the impact on your relationship by your act of forgiveness.  Whatever your love did, think about the act.  Think about why they might have done it – take their side of the story and look for insights.  Ask them why they did it.  Then sort through it all, come to terms, and forgive your love.  Let them know how you feel and that you have forgiven them. Make peace.

Why not make forgiveness a personal development goal?

Going forward, identify opportunities to demonstrate true forgiveness as they arise.   Practice forgiveness liberally in your relationship.  Practice forgiveness liberally in your life.  It will pay big dividends in happiness and joy.

Just Say No to the Status Quo^TM

Donna Marie Thompson, PhD – The Bouncing Back Now Relationship Coach – is a Certified Professional Coach, a Certified NLP Practitioner, and a Master Practitioner of the Energy Leadership Index. Donna Marie is listed as one of America’s Premier Experts in relationships and personal development. She is the host of the “Bouncing Back Now” show on BlogTalkRadio and on the Real Coaching Radio TV network. Donna Marie has been the featured guest on many radio shows and on the Brian Tracy TV Show as seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates across the country.

Check out Donna Marie’s new book at http://www.BouncingBackFromLoss.com

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