Here at Creative
Therapeutics, we do a lot to help people overcome that which holds them back, and to progress on a journey of positive self-realization. A big part of that process involves enabling people to forgive. Forgiveness is not only a vital tool in maintaining and strengthening our social relationships, it can also vastly improve our relationships with ourselves. The necessity of self-forgiveness and self-compassion is something which is often forgotten in today’s blame-ridden world, and the inability to treat oneself gracefully causes a lot more problems than many people realize.
Forgiveness in general has been proven to improve one’s psychological and even physical health. If we forgive those who wrong us, then we not only – as many psychiatrists have proven – become ‘better’ people in general, we also become healthier. Letting go of grudges and forgiving unconditionally lowers blood pressure, lowers levels of the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol, and strengthens the relationships which are so very important for our wellbeing. Forgiveness of oneself is often a lot harder than the forgiveness of others, but the payoff is worth it.
Learning to accept and work with one’s ‘shadow side’ does not necessarily mean summarily dismissing all of one’s faults. It means accepting them for what they are and treating oneself with compassion when they rear their heads. If others have forgiven you for what you said, did, or felt, then there is no reason why you should not forgive yourself. If you are unable to forgive yourself, and loathe your faults, then you will end up struggling to suppress them. This means that they will burst out in full force when your guard is down, and end up ruining your life. If, however, you can forgive yourself and accept your faults, then you will find that you have a lot more control over them. As with everything, it is far easier to work with something than to fight against it.
Self-forgiveness and self-compassion are essential aspects of any journey towards self-fulfilment. For more on this topic, see this article.
Writer: Mel Davis
The post Forgiveness: An Underrated Skill appeared first on Creative Therapeutics.
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