Personal Narrative-It's Time To Forgive My Father

I will always remember the moment I first began to forgive my father. It was early one bright Sunday morning in June and I was driving to San Jose to teach an all day make-up class in Family Therapy to a group of graduate counseling students. The day before, I had hastily rented a book on tape about "letting go" to keep me company during my four-hour round-trip commute. To my surprise, the entire book was the author's poignant story of how she had chosen to forgive her father, who sounded like a carbon copy of my own dad.

As I listened to the writer describe her courageous journey toward acceptance and healing, I became acutely aware of the bitterness and pain in my heart that I had kept locked away for decades. I felt my tears begin to wash

It takes a lot of your energy to continue to hold on to negative feelings toward another. Forgiveness releases this energy so you can apply it to more constructive and joyful pursuits.

5. If I forgive, I may get hurt again.
You can let go of the past while holding on to what an experience has taught you. To forgive is to retain the wisdom while releasing the pain associated with the life lesson.

6. I only need to forgive someone once.
Forgiveness is a process, so you may need to let go more than once. Should the negative feelings reappear, be gentle with yourself, and choose to release them one more time.

7. I need to understand why before I can forgive.
Needing to understand why is a trap that can snare you. Life is full of mysteries. You may never understand the whys which underlie another's behavior. Don't let that prevent you from releasing the past and moving on with your life.

Your inner guidance is forever urging you to choose the path of healing and joy. When you activate the power of forgiveness, you release any negative hold that the past has had on you. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness, and watch your life transform as it becomes a more perfect reflection of the light that you