♥

Myrtle: You know I know this man put a hurtin' on you baby, but you've got to forgive him. No matter what he done, you've got to forgive him - not for him, but for you.

Helen: Forgive him for me?

Myrtle: When some body hurts you they take power over you, if you don't forgive them then they keeps the power. Forgive him baby and after you forgive him, forgive yourself.

(Dialogue from the movie "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" -Tyler Perry 2005

Forgiveness is one of my favorite subjects to blog about and to talk about. I am reminded this morning of the healing transformation that takes place with forgiveness.

Forgiveness allows us to see ourselves in a loving, gracious light. To hold onto anger and bitterness towards a person we feel weighed down with such negative feelings that often become directed at our own selves.

When we feel wounded and hurt because of what another person has done to us, we can be prone to lash out at others. I believe the negative emotions inside of us will be released either by forgiving the one that hurt us or by hurting those around us. Others in our lives will suffer because of our suffering.

When we aren't at peace, those in our lives will feel the effects. Forgiveness is like a healing circle. We feel its healing effects and those around us feel the effects of our loving transformation from the practice of forgiveness.

Forgiving doesn't mean condoning the hurtful behavior of the other person. Forgiveness is about our own heart. Forgiveness doesn't have to be about the other person, it starts with the heart and radiates to everyone in your life. Forgiveness is about healing ourselves. Forgivenes is truly a gift of self love.

♥