Kicking the Past in the Behind

Posted by Pam Thomas on October 6, 2007 9:11 AM PDT

Recommend this? YES NO

If you’re ready to let go and put the past behind you here are few things to try:

- Write a “let it rip” letter to anyone who has hurt you. Get it all out. Then rip the letter to shreds or burn it.

- Look for any good things that you can take away from a past experience. Anything beneficial that could be used to support you.

- Talk with someone you trust and brainstorm ways in which you can get clear of the past.

- Be aware. When you feel yourself tapping into past hurt or blaming past experiences, stop and remember, you have choices.

I am here to tell you that it is quite a relief to release the past. (Besides it really sucks carrying around tons of past wounds, etc…. not to mention rather heavy.) Getting clear on the past helps create the space for forward movement. Besides, if you are stuck in the past it is difficult to see the potential of the here and now.

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2 Comments

How timely this post is for me I cannot even express. I've recently come to terms with a "lifetime" grudge. I'm actively doing your steps 2-3 but I LOVE the "let it rip" letter. I think I'll express myself tonight and throw my nutrition plan out the window and roast a s'more -- ahhh, sweet endings to promote positive foreward movement!
Peace and Light,
Teri

Posted by Teri Johnson on October 8, 2007 4:21 PM PDT

I've read that healing begins once the first thought to forgive arises. By surrendering pain, dysfunction, anger, and apathy, peace of mind and freedom immediately soothe past wounds like a cooling balm.

The idea sounds good and all but applying the act forgiveness in our daily lives is a different matter all together. This is where your post truly shines, Pam, because it gives us more than one, practical solution on how to deal with a past event that was painful.

All of your suggestions require an honest evaluation and identification with the source of pain. Once we know 'why' we're hurting and face that 'why' squarely, it becomes much easier to let it go because we're now in a position of power...the insight brought the awareness..brought the knowledge...brought the power.

At this point, if we choose to continue suffering, then that's a choice we're making willingly and who would choose inner imbalance, discomfort, distress, etc.?

Sadly, people make that unconscious choice quite often in their daily lives.

So what does it mean to truly forgive? How do you know you've forgiven in your heart and not just in your mind? This question goes out to everyone and anyone. Also, does anyone have a story about being forgiven by another and what that experience taught them about 'forgiving' in general?