Freedom Through Forgiveness
Forgiveness: The True Price of Freedom
by Guest Writer: Dr. Veronica Harrington
Freedom
I grew up in a single parent household just like many other children. My father’s absence in my life as a young girl affected my ability as a woman to trust and allow someone the ability to love, protect, and provide for me in a relationship. In courtships, I subconsciously sought needs from men that were unfulfilled by my father. I wanted love and security from a man, but as I matured I realized that I was broken. I was hurt and angry from failed expectations from others and that impacted my ability to have lasting relationships.
People are not perfect therefore relationships are not perfect. As long as we are in relationships we will have to forgive and be forgiven. Forgiveness sets your soul free. There is a poem by William Ernest Henley entitled Invictus that concludes with this “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” Forgiveness is a process that begins with a decision to let go.
The Process
- Self-Awareness: Know who you are and recognize unhealthy reactions to external actions. People deal with hurt and pain in a variety of different ways so it’s important to be honest with yourself about how you feel about things that have occurred in your past.
- Determine the Source: Seek out the source of your pain. Are you angry with yourself? Are you angry with a parent, another family member, spouse, coworker, or a close friend? Who is the person(s) responsible for your brokenness?
- Prayer- Set aside some quiet time each day to reset through prayer. Ask for help along this journey to forgive yourself or people that have hurt you. Prayer will refresh your spirit, strengthen, and empower you.
- Time: It takes time to forgive people that have hurt you and time to heal your heart from hurt, pain, and bitterness. Patience is a virtue so allow the necessary time for complete healing to take place in your life.
- Think And Speak Positively: Develop a consistent habit of thinking and speaking positively. When you have a positive attitude, you draw positive energy and positive people to you. You speak things into existence. Speak great things into your life. Speak love, speak positive relationships, and speak forgiveness into your life.
You can’t change your past or unfortunate events that have occurred, but you have the ability to control how you react to things that have happened to you in your past. Let go of the past and move forward in freedom towards your future. By choosing freedom, you chose to live your life to the fullest.
Photo Credit: Visual Eyes by CHC.
Dr. Veronica Harrington
Dr. Veronica Harrington
Dr. Harrington is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. She was educated in the Birmingham Public School System at Ramsey High School and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Hampton University. Dr. Harrington continued her education and pursued a doctorate in Vision Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is passionate about people and desires to make an impact on people through her published written works. Dr. Harrington is the author of “The Journey” and she is currently in the process of completing her next book entitled “Pieces of Me.” She enjoys her work as a financial professional and freelance writer. You can rearch her at www.thejourneytopurpose.webs.com or [email protected].
“Every day presents another opportunity to hit the reset button on your life.” Charita H. Cadenhead, Life Coach