The Power of Forgiveness - You Get to Be Free
David Langiulli
10+ years Coaching 100s of Executives at Harvard, UNICEF, Yale, USO, Princeton, & More | Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Black Belt | 7x Published Author
Recently, someone close to me forgot to wish me a Happy Birthday.? While it may not seem like a big deal, it was my 60th birthday, and their oversight deeply hurt my feelings.
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After discussing the incident with my coach, I realized this was an opportunity to practice forgiveness.
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Forgiveness is a powerful gift we give ourselves.? It sets us free from the grip of the past and the weight of negative emotions.? By forgiving, we let go of anger and pain, allowing ourselves to embrace happiness.? Without forgiveness, anger, hurt, and resentment can consume our lives, preventing us from experiencing joy.
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However, forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or condoning past actions.? It means releasing and moving forward.? We don't have to continue toxic relationships or subject ourselves to harmful situations.? Forgiveness is about taking the lessons we've learned and growing from them while releasing any lingering resentment.
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Choosing forgiveness liberates us to live life to the fullest.? It also offers us peace and freedom from blaming or shaming the person we forgive, including ourselves.
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In this case, it helped me remember that this person was doing their best based on their upbringing and conditioning.? This person is also frequently distracted and forgetful.
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The first step in the forgiveness process is acknowledging our emotions.? It's essential to recognize and acknowledge our hurt, pain, anger, and resentment.? In this case, my coach reminded me that I am a good person and deserve better.? My inner critic did not like the phrase "you deserve better," put after a while, I realized that I do.
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Next, we can assess our role in the situation, practicing self-compassion and reflecting on any lessons or insights we can gain.
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Finding the gifts or discovering how this circumstance can make us more resilient, kind, and gentle can also be beneficial.? In my case, I remembered that I am on a spiritual path aiming for "the peace that passeth all understanding."
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I understand that forgiveness can be an incredibly challenging practice, which is why, when asked about forgiving someone who has erred against us, Jesus said, "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
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Let's be clear - forgiveness benefits us, the forgivers.? So, choose to forgive, release, and let go, allowing yourself to be free.
David Langiulli?is an Executive Coach, Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner, and Author. This essay is an excerpt from his forthcoming book,?Bringing the Human Back into Being.
Senior Digital Transformation Consultant | Web3 Expert | Empowering Businesses with AI, Blockchain & Innovation | 25+ Years in Banking, E-commerce, Retail & More | Helping Companies Scale & Thrive in the Digital Era
1 年Such a powerful message! Forgiveness truly is a transformative tool for personal growth and leadership. It's not about forgetting or condoning, but about finding the strength to let go and move forward. ??????
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1 年I definitely agree that we need to be able to forgive people that have wronged us. I also think that you probably shouldn’t forget tendencies of certain people. being aware of what can happen can protect yourself in the long run.
This is an interesting perspective. It's worth thinking about how forgiveness can be used to find peace and joy.
Choosing forgiveness is a profound way to reclaim our own peace and joy. It's a gift we give ourselves, and it's always wonderful to explore this topic further.
Developing the Next Generation for the Future of Work and Entrepreneurship. Past President, National HBCU Business Deans Roundtable. Specialized in strategic corporate partnerships and workforce development.
1 年David Langiulli, your insights on the power of forgiveness are deeply resonant. It's a topic that often gets overlooked in discussions about personal development and leadership, yet it's crucial for emotional well-being and growth. Your point that forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or condoning is particularly important; it's more about acknowledging our emotions and learning from the experience. The act of forgiving can indeed liberate us from the shackles of resentment and open the door to joy. Thank you for addressing this important aspect of personal development in your newsletter.