When your focus is on taking care of yourself, you'll have real choices to feel angry and hurt or you can make the choice to forgive. It is important for you to determine in he specific situations whether it's best for you to remain angry and hurt or to forgive.
There are benefits that derive from being angry and hurt just like there are benefits that derive from forgiving.
I read an article from Newswise entitled "Learning to Forgive May Improve Well-Being". This article appeared in Mayo Clinic Women's Health Source.
Newswise wrote "Holding a grudge appears to affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems". Other research findings were also reported.
"In one study, people who focused on a personal grudge had elevated blood pressure and heart rates as well as increased muscle tension and feelings of being less in control. When asked to imagine forgiving a person who had hurt them, the participants said they felt more positive and relaxed".
Other studies also have shown that forgiveness has positive effects on psychological health.
Forgiveness is a choice.
"Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting, condoning or excusing what happened. It is acknowledging hurt and then letting it go, along with the burden of anger and resentment".
Forgiveness is a choice that is not dependent on people asking for forgiveness or people asking for forgiveness in a genuine or voluntary manner. Forgiveness is a choice that can be made even when people are not apologetic or respectful.
When we take care of ourselves, forgiveness becomes a very powerful choice for better health and better relationships.
Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Choices!
Dr. Hal
Life and Mental Fitness Coach
When we fail to take care of ourselves, forgiveness can create greater health issues and dysfunctional relationships. My next blog will be on toxic forgiveness.
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