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Being hurt by someone causes deep wounds. The mind ruminates on the hurt and the body reflects the worry in the form of anxiety, pain, or other physical issues. One thing’s for sure – holding resentments can take a toll on the mind and the body.

Forgiveness paves the way for a healthy mind and body

It’s been said many times that forgiveness is not about the person who has caused offense. Forgiveness really is designed to help the person who is hurting. Being able to forgive… even when there’s no apology… frees up the mind to feel better – which leads to a better feeling body as well.

Resentment is heavy. It carries a lot of emotions that weigh the mind down. Anger, sadness, confusion, can all lead to unresolved feelings. These feelings can turn into outward expressions on the body. Weight gain, weight loss, skin issues, and tummy troubles can all be traced back to the issues caused by carrying anger. Forgiveness can remedy the mind and the body pain. 

Here are some steps to help pave the way to forgiveness

Step 1: Come to terms with your pain. Many people are suffering with silent pain. They are wounded from people who may not know they were causing any pain at all. Sometimes people are plain ignorant and don’t realize their impact and sometimes people are too sensitive and take issue with things that weren’t directed at them. No matter, a wound is a wound. Come to terms with your pain and identify what it is you resent. Once and for all, let your thoughts come to the surface and acknowledge them. Feel the feelings to their fullest one last time.

Step 2: Prepare to let the feelings go. People hold onto resentment because they don’t want to let people off the hook. They think forgiveness means what happened wasn’t a problem or that their value is tied to the other person having remorse. This simply isn’t the case. It’s time to let the feelings go. It’s time to put the benefits of forgiveness ahead of the benefits of holding onto resentment.

Step 3: Accept what you can’t control. There may be many aspects of what has happened that can’t be controlled. Letting go of the need for vindication and remorse paves the way for forgiveness. Being able to forgive someone who isn’t sorry or isn’t here to say they’re sorry is powerful. Accept what you can’t control as part of the maturity it takes to heal the wounds yourself rather than through someone else.

Step 4: Set boundaries that protect your heart. Some wounds are caused by people who remain in your space. It’s important to set clear boundaries that hold people accountable as you move forward. Set new standards for what you allow into your life and for how you allow people to treat you. This is part of the powerful process of reconnecting your mind and your body. Notice how light you begin to feel and how your body starts to respond to the relief that comes from letting go of the anger.  

Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. Forgiveness removes the anger and resentment that creates a rift between your mind and body. It restores your sense of balance and true health, making life exceedingly better.