There’s a reason why making amends is one of the 12 steps in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. It’s essential to healing. Forgiveness is foundational to our awakening because regret, resentment, blamed and particularly shame are the big blocks to Love. Without an active practice of Love we wither and are weak, we fall back into addictive and compulsive tendencies and temptations.
Regret is like a complaint against yourself.
Regret lowers your whole energy.
Complaining makes you a crap magnet.
Regret is a judgment against yourself.
All judgment produces fear.
Can you really justify continuing to live in regret?
Isn’t it a lot like living in a poopy diaper?
Is that what you really prefer?
One decision to forgive can change your whole perspective and your whole life.
One of the best ways to practice love, forgiveness and nonviolence is to be able to apologize with sincerity. We all do things that can hurt or offend others. When I’m alert to my feelings, I always regret anything I did that was unloving. Even so, sometimes it can be very challenging to apologize. If I can’t apologize then I’m in a prison of my own making. It is a prison of fear and shame and that’s not a place I want to hang out in at all.
I’ve found that being able to apologize, being able to acknowledge my mistakes and oversights and even my outright blunders is a gift that continues to give. It gives me peace and harmony every day, for which I am extremely grateful. I’ve realized that it takes self-love and humility first and foremost to be able to apologize. It can require courage and strength and a strong sense of personal honor to be able to admit a mistake and I’m very grateful to have found that in myself and make it a place from which I can live. Being able to apologize and make amends keeps my energy where it belongs – in my strong heart.
A gift I receive when I’m able to apologize is giving up the judgment that causes the fear of making a wrong step. This allows me to be more authentic. When I’m more authentic I’m prepared for anyone else’s opinions.
MY LATEST ACIM PODCAST EPISODE: We’re still challenged to get it uploaded. I hope that will happen today. My topic is Fear & Weakness Transformed. Looking at one of the most basic teachings of A Course in Miracles to help us rise above the battlefield of fear and hopelessness.
