Global Forgiveness Day

Did you know that July 7th is Global Forgiveness Day?

This gets my attention in a big way. How sweet is it that we have set aside a day, globally to celebrate the power that forgiveness provides!

Forgiveness is freedom. If you aren’t forgiving others, (or yourself), you aren’t living out your full potential and experiencing the peace that is available to you.

Allow me to share a precious story.

Many years ago, my dear friend, Debra, was battling terminal cancer. She was given 6 months to live. I asked her what I could do for her and her response surprised me. She wanted me to take her to see her favorite speaker/ teacher, Brian Tracy, who was coming to our area. I was concerned because the event was going to be held in a stadium, with thousands of people. Debra was in a wheelchair and rarely had an hour that she wasn’t experiencing the ill effects of chemo and radiation.

At the end of the seminar, Debra asked me to take her to the stage so she could meet Brian. She had a question for him, “Brian, I have cancer and am told that I have 6 months at best to live. What would you say to me?” I will never forget Brian’s response:?

"Debra, I want you to bathe everyone you know in complete forgiveness. Let me be specific. There are 4 people you must forgive.

1) Your parents; not to forgive them is to remain a child and a victim

2) Relationships that didn’t work out

3) Everyone who has ever wronged you, caused you pain, or harm

4) YOURSELF; that was then and this is now."

Debra lived just shy of 1 year following the event. In all the years of knowing her, I’d never seen her calmer, and more beautiful, despite her circumstance.

When we don’t forgive those who have wronged us, we are giving them power over us. Power over our sleep, our appetites, our blood pressure, and our overall health & happiness.

As Walt Whitman says, "Peace is always beautiful!”

Who do you need to extend the power of forgiveness to today??

With love,

Janet??