Holiday Forgiveness

Did you know that there are sequential steps to forgiveness that could be helpful in your brain’s process of deciding to forgive? Holidays seems to bring up old resentments that have not been forgiven and let go. Sometimes these old resentments are from several generations back. Guidelines are given by Robert D. Enright PhD in his book FORGIVENESS IS A CHOICE - A step-by-step process for resolving anger & restoring hope. According to the author, guidelines for forgiving consist of four phases: uncovering your anger; deciding to forgive; working on forgiveness; discovery and release from emotional prison. The time of healing may vary from person to person and from case to case, with more time required for greater hurt and injustice. It is a process. Avoid discouragement if anger and hurt resurface again. Work the process, preferably with the help of a support person who is experienced in forgiveness. Working the process could make all the difference in the world to your holiday experience.