Challenging times we faced when asked for forgiveness
Hey everyone! It's been quite awhile since I've been active, but I'm back and happy to contribute a bit again! Let's talk about the most challeneging times we faced when we were asked for forgiveness. What was it like? Can you name the emotions you felt when you were asked? Did you have to think about it. Was there pressure, and did you forgive the person regardless?
Being asked for forgiveness can cause a lot of emotions like, anxiety, stress and even depression! It puts us in a spot to appeal to our empathy and often times we are not always ready to forgive the person. It can be difficult when faced with these questions, and sometimes you aren't left with time to think about it, and ask yourself if you're ready to take this step into healing and move forward. Often peoples actions even the smallest, affect our lives permanently and it can be difficult to let those actions go.
I have faced times like this myself. I understand how it can be overwhelming emotionally. One time I found particularly difficult, was when I decided to forgive my parents after a particularly helpful therapy session. I thought about it for months, but it was really relieving and I was able to let go a lot of the trauma that had occured that required forgiveness. One of the particular tools I used was to write two letters. One stating why I was upset, and how it deeply hurt me. The other was a letter of forgiveness. It was parctiuarly difficult, but I was able to use this to heal and move forward with my life, and later forgive myself for not giving myself the fighting chance i deserved earlier in life. Forgiveness can play such a big role in our lives and its often overlooked when we address emotions especially in regards to others.
Do you have a forgiveness story youd like to share too?
@MissSkeleton , I am glad to hear you have practised forgiveness. It does indeed free us and releases a lot of the old emotions we have bottled up for years. I too , have practised forgiveness and experienced the change in my inner thoughts and outlook of life. I chose to forgive and that empowered me into who I am today. Hence , it is part of my life process now... sometimes it not easy to forgive but I give myself some time to heal before I choose to forgive . One of the quotes that reminded me of the importance of forgiveness was this : Forgiving someone doesnt mean that their behavior was ‘OK. What it does mean is that were ready to move on. To release the heavy weight. To shape our own life, on our terms, without any unnecessary burdens. Forgiveness is pure freedom—and forgiveness is a choice.
@MissSkeleton
somewhere in year 2010 , I had an ex boyfriend who betrayed me on my 21st birthday . in the end I tempted suicide & thinking all the negative thoughts , I wanted to forgive him BUT I can't as its not an unforgivable mistake he had done . I do have anxiety & some health problems , sometimes my anxiety goes overwhelmed I'm thinking of negative thoughts again . anxiety was diagnosed on 8th April last year , which I truly hate it ( sorry for that ) .
@jazmine1986
Thank you for sharing. It sounds like you've been through a really troubling experience, and I understand why you don't feel ready to forgive, if you will ever feel ready. Sometimes traumatic feelings can lead to thoughts like you've experienced, but feel free to reach out at any time you need for support. Anxiety can be really difficult to cope with, and I understand how you feel as I still suffer from anxiety too. I know you're strong and I'm proud of how far you've come. Your words are sobering and are indeed a reminder that everyone has their own healing journey and path, and that we all are in different places. Healing isn't a race, but a long walk with lots of pauses and different paths, or even wrong turns and dead ends. Keep on continuing in your journey, and stay strong, 7 Cups is here to support you :)
