How to HealYour Life: 15

“I Forgive Myself for Judging Myself As . . . .”

Stupid, unreasonable, stubborn, pushy, fill in the blank. We all do it – we criticize ourselves and pass judgment on ourselves  multiple times every day, half the time never noticing what we’re doing. It’s not our fault. Since the beginning of civilization (thousands of years, people) we’ve been programmed that we should have perfect behavior all the time and obey all the rules. There’s common sense in that. Without rules we have social chaos. It’s the judgment part that cripples us. We’d sooner forgive others than ourselves. Where is our compassion for ourselves?

What if we took the pressure off ourselves by suspending judgment when we lose control of our behavior? What if we turned the light of forgiveness on ourselves? We know that forgiveness doesn’t mean approval but is a way to clear the air between ourselves and someone else; to let go and move on. Imagine wiping the slate clean for yourself – giving yourself the clarity you need to grow from the experience.

I invite you to try a process of freeing yourself from the rusted chains of old judgments. Self-forgiveness gives you the opportunity to experience deep healing.

The Gift of Self-Forgiveness

Look at yourself in a mirror as you say, “I forgive myself for judging myself as  . . .” the name you’ve been calling yourself. You can use this process for every negative term you apply to yourself. You can say this to yourself, or think it in your mind. You can even visualize yourself breaking those chains that have been holding you back from expressing your true self.

What’s the first thing you’ll forgive yourself for?

Live your purpose, love your life.