You can never be free as long as you continue to think unforgiving thoughts. And, you can never create the future you desire by holding onto resentments from your past. How can you be happy in this moment if you continue to choose to be angry and resentful? Thoughts of bitterness cannot create joy. No matter how justified you feel you are, no matter what “they” did, if you insist on holding on to the past, then you will never be free. Forgiveness is a tricky and confusing concept for many people, but know that there’s a difference between forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that you condone their behavior! The act of forgiveness takes place in your own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person. The reality of true forgiveness lies in setting yourself free from the pain. It’s simply an act of releasing yourself from the negative energy that you’ve chosen to hold on to. Today, consciously set your intentions to forgive. No matter what your reasons are for having bitter, unforgiving feelings, you can go beyond them. You have a choice. You can choose to stay stuck and resentful, or you can do yourself a favor by willingly forgiving what happened in the past; letting it go; and then moving on to create a joyous, fulfilling life. You have the freedom to make your life anything you want it to be because you have freedom of choice. Today, choose to forgive and set yourself free.

Just for today, I recognize that there is no problem big or small that cannot be solved by love. I forgive everyone in my past for all perceived wrongs. I release them with love. I know the very person who I find hardest to forgive is the one I need to forgive and let go of the most. I forgive myself for not being perfect. I am living the best way I know how. I forgive and set myself free. And so it is.