Authors: Iyanla Vanzant

Forgiveness (23 page)

From speaking with my mother I learned that forgiveness is a process that begins with the choice to end your own suffering. It is also a moment-by-moment choice. It is also a simple choice—suffering or joy, bondage or freedom. I have chosen to see things differently. Regardless of how I judged what she could have or should have done better, she did the only thing she knew how to do at the moment. The biggest choice for me was surrendering the need to understand. I will never understand. There are some things no one can ever understand.

W
HAT A DIFFERENCE A MOMENT CAN MAKE WHEN WE CHOOSE TO HEAL
.

Today, I no longer view my mother through a lens of pain, nor do I see the choices she made as the source of my pain. I choose to see her as a woman, and just like me, there were days when she felt unworthy and unlovable. Just like me, she made choices that she is not proud of making. Just like me, she has suffered from feelings of guilt, shame, and anger. I guess she has had her share of heartbreak and wants to experience the forgiving power of the love. And just like me, she wants to know that she is forgiven. I choose to let her know that, in my soul, all is well.

D
AILY
F
ORGIVENESS
P
ROCESS
R
EMINDERS

For a more detailed explanation of the
Daily Forgiveness Process Guidelines
,

Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for at least 30 to 60 minutes.
Still your mind for at least 5 minutes or listen to the
Stillness Meditation.
Read the Forgiveness Prayer once silently and once aloud.
Scan the
Emotional Triggers
List.
Write out the 12 Forgiveness Statements for each day’s topic on thinking, judging, and believing in your Forgiveness Journal (Days 1–18). Write your Forgiveness Letters (Days 19–21).
Perform your Pro EFT™ Forgiveness Tapping Sequences.
Process thoughts and feelings consciously through your Forgiveness Journal Reflections.
Listen to the
Gratitude Meditation
on the Forgiveness CD.
Complete the day’s practice in quiet reflection or with meditative music.
Be sure to do something good for yourself today!

I F
ORGIVE
M
YSELF FOR
J
UDGING
M
Y
C
HOICES

T
oday’s Forgiveness Practice is about judging past choices. A choice is a focused intention that provides the creative catalyst and energetic call to all action. Without choice, there can be no movement. With choice, mental programming is rendered void—if only for a moment.

N
O CHOICE IS A BAD CHOICE; EVERY CHOICE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING TO UNFOLD
.

Unfortunately, many of the choices we make moment by moment are fueled by what we believe about the past and what we fear about the future. For this reason, no choice is a bad choice; every choice is an opportunity for learning to unfold. In today’s practice you are encouraged to examine and explore those choices you have made, regardless of the results, and those that you have second-guessed. It is also an opportunity to explore the choices you are hesitant about making today.

A P
RAYER OF
F
ORGIVENESS

There is nothing to be healed only God to be revealed
.

I now ask that the peace of God be revealed in my mind. There is nothing to be healed only God to be revealed. I now ask that the love of God be revealed in my heart. There is nothing to be healed only God to be revealed. I now ask that the will of God be revealed in every choice I make. There is nothing to be healed only God to be revealed. I now ask that the presence of God be revealed in all that I do
.

There is nothing to be healed only God to be revealed. I now ask that the perfect peace of God be revealed in my life
.

Today, I ask for and open myself to experience the presence of God in my mind, my heart, and every other aspect of my life
.

For the blessings of this day I am so grateful
.

I rest in Thee
.

I let it be!

And so it is!