Stress Busters for Environmental Stewards
How to Forgive Others
Here is a simple practice you can use to forgive someone who you are holding anger, hatred or resentment toward in your heart
- Sit someplace where you will not be disturbed.
- Close your eyes and think of someone you are holding anger, hatred or resentment toward in your heart.
- Take a couple of deep breaths and let yourself feel your feelings without having to do anything about them. Just notice them.
- Now, realize that the person’s hurtful actions can’t be changed. The actions are in the past and there is absolutely nothing that can be done to affect them now. Feel the finality of that.
- Also, realize that this person may never change. They are they way they are. Take a few deep breaths as you accept the truth of that.
- Now, see that person is the way they are—and did whatever they did—because they have some pain, some lack, some woundedness. They may not even realize it themselves, but it’s there. People only hurt others because they are hurt themselves. See them through the eyes of compassion for their own suffering. Imagine they are a child that is hurting, lashing out at others for their own pain. Can you feel compassion for them?
- Sit quietly for a minute or two more, just feeling the expansion that COMPASSION—in any amount—brings to the heart.
Note: It’s okay if you still feel angry. The purpose of this exercise is to begin to release the pain in your heart, not excuse anyone for their actions. Keep repeating this exercise until you feel a shift, however small, in your heart. Your forgiveness will grow as you feel more compassion.
(Source: Marci Shimoff)
#forgiveness#compassion#others
Sacred Earth Science helps environmental stewards master conscious leadership skills by learning and applying innovative tools and techniques so they can manage demanding workloads, reduce stress, boost their productivity, and achieve work-life balance. Our specialized trainings and Next Level Coaching integrate eastern, western and indigenous science and help clients transform the way they work.
