Anger can be the first step to spirituality and self knowledge the first step to forgiveness. Who knew?
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Every guy has some experience with something or someone he needs to forgive; either in the past or in the present moment.
But to get there you need to remember that forgiveness does not mean:
You got an apology.
The other person needs to fix the problem.
The other person has to come to you first.
You are the weaker person.
What if you looked at forgiveness as a totally different animal?
You can just be a guy who wants to break the anger cycle; a guy who wants to create a better world for himself and those around him.
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What if, instead of being angry for what was done, how it was done, and with whom it was done, you forgave without condition?
Newsflash …
It starts with you! Forgiveness, true forgiveness can only come from the heart. That can only happen if you know your own heart.
People can only come to the table with what they know. ~ Caterina Barregar
You don’t have to be a mystic, or channel stuff, you don’t have to be a wise man or an elder. You can just be a guy who wants to break the anger cycle; a guy who wants to create a better world for himself and those around him. That is what being spiritual is all about. Don’t get hung up on the word “spiritual.” It’s about knowing and accepting your emotional self. It’s OK to start with anger because once you accept your emotional self, you will find it to be the source of your greatest strength.
If you don’t know better, you can’t do better. ~ Oprah Winfrey
Would for-giving help you to become more connected with those around you?
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To move through anger to true forgiveness you must know better, know your self better that is. How well do you know yourself?
Nosce Te Ipsum — Know Thyself. Cliché’s come from some basic truths. If you don’t know yourself, how are you going to know anyone else?
To get to know yourself better ask yourself this:
Is it worth holding onto anger and pride just to hold a grudge?
What would it feel like to finally let go of that one event, or those harmful words?
How would you feel if you for-gave?
Would for-giving help you to become more connected with those around you?
What would life be like if you could actually enjoy it to it’s fullest?
Do you set healthy boundaries for yourself?
Do you say no when you need to say no?
Do you take care of the important things in life?
Do you spend time with you? Nurturing you?
Choosing to for-give has some amazing benefits, especially when it comes from the heart and starts with forgiving yourself.
It allows for healing on a much deeper level
It allows you to take the high road
It allows you to set up healthy boundaries for the next time
It allows you to understand that your greatest power comes from your emotional self.
It allows you to reconnect with yourself and with others.
Have you forgiven YOURSELF yet?
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Photo: Getty Images
Wonderful, thought-provoking, insightful article. Thanks!