Interested in Self-Care? Try Self-Forgiveness
Let me start this article this way: Self-forgiveness is never easy.
I’ve written about self-forgiveness before. It’s a theme for me – even though I didn’t realize it when I began writing. It’s definitely a part of my books and essays on wellness and hunger.
I have forgiveness chapters in all of my books. My two favorite chapters are in “The Ketchup Sandwiches Chronicles” beginning on page 103 and 145.
These two chapters focus on two real people and the voyages they traveled while seeking self-forgiveness.
Begin self-care with a few questions:
Who am I in this community? In this country? On this planet?
Remember: My community, my country, and my planet have value. I believe the value is greater than the sum of all of us combined.
Self-care means joining the community of the planet. Everyone, without exception, has value and a role to play.
No one, not even the least of us, is irrelevant. No one, not even the greatest of us, is above it all. Being rich or poor simply isn’t part of the equation.
Self-forgiveness in the context of self-care is a journey where we become a part of something greater. We don’t write off people and situations. We challenge, encourage, love.
Self-forgiveness allows us to not always be at our best.
Self-forgiveness includes renewal and support.
Self-forgiveness can be a calling.
When you sign onto the journey of self-forgiveness, you’ll travel to places you’ve never been before. You may find yourself involved in activities and events for which you may not be quite prepared.
You can’t complete a self-forgiveness journey with an isolated incident like you would complete a puzzle or word game. It is a part of a process.
Forgiveness is always a challenge. Everyone seeks forgiveness and self-forgiveness is the hardest part.
How does it work? Well, do what you can with what you have. Work where you are. A good starting point is to sketch your community.
Really, what you’re doing is muddling through. Frankly, I think that’s how self-forgiveness works. This journey is not going to be perfect. At times, it may seem overwhelming. Other times, it may seem simply like a blank page. Self-forgiveness comes with very few maps. Certainly, there is no GPS.
Forgiveness is a journey with its own timetable. There may be surprise stops along the way. That’s because forgiveness has its own messages and meaning.
A bottom line is this: Forgiveness is for you and you alone. When you forgive someone, you are not forgiving them for them. You are forgiving them for you.
And, that’s what self-care is all about: YOU.
Self-forgiveness happens when you move beyond your thoughts and memories to a new place. At that moment, you see things differently. Sometimes this new place can be a sort of miracle.
This happens when you see your open heart and embrace new hopes and blessings. After a few moments, you may also hear things in a new way.
This is true change. True change, and self-forgiveness, happens when you face the same condition that caused you to behave in a way unacceptable to yourself and now you see things differently.
You break out of your past.
You’ve changed. You are a different person.
You wake up and claim your self-forgiven reality.
Thank you for reading this blog post. Please forward it to your preferred social media network. Share it with your friends and family.
To hear stories of healing and of hunger, tune into YouTube. There are several segments where I read the stories. It is one thing to read the stories and another thing entirely to hear them. ENJOY
When traveling on your self-forgiveness journey, I recommend you include regular reflexology and Reiki sessions. Spiritual journeys include physical, mental, and emotional changes as well. Your feet are a command center of your body. They need consideration and attention during this time.
If you have questions, contact me at thurmangreco@gmail.com
THANKS AGAIN!
10 Steps to Inner Fitness and a Life That Unsticks Itself.
We’ve all got a lot on our plates these days. All of us.
We’re at a point where it’s time to return to normal.
The question is this: What is normal anyway?
Certainly it’s not what we had before. It’s time to make way for a better life..
Whether we’re interested or not, our spiritual centers need encouragement, support, and protection. Inner fitness smoothes out the bumps in our travels through life.
I don’t know if I speak for everyone, or even anyone, but I find myself embracing this new normal while experiencing grief.
With a grounded inner core, a new normal is easier to find and recognize. Essential requirements for inner fitness include encouragement, support, safety, and self-confidence.
There are things you can do:
Think Positively.
Positive thoughts are essential – even before you get out of bed. When you wake, ask yourself “How can I be happy today?”
Happiness is the great equalizer. You are never too young or too old for happiness. Happiness doesn’t need education. Happiness doesn’t need good health. Happiness is the only thing I know that is available to everyone.
All happiness needs is for you to “be happy.”
Listen to Your Body.
When you listen, your body will talk to you. It will never lie to you as healing begins. Inner fitness is real.
Are you trying to adjust to your new reality? Do you want to change your life? Is something wrong, and are you trying to find out what?
Tune in to your body several times a day. Do you have pain anywhere? Is your spine aligned? What is your energy level? Are you hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Joyful?
Good Health is a Priority.
When you value your good health, you become a valuable person. You love yourself. When you expect excellent health, your thinking changes. Life unsticks itself.
Claim your wellness!
Respect Your Emotional Self
Your feelings are opportunities to grow. Emotions are messages from your body which will help set you free. Your emotions can help you understand pain, extra weight, sorrow, fear.
When you remove these feelings, you make way for joyful health, peace, grounding.
A better life emerges.
Connect with Your Community.
Get a part time job.
Or a full time job.
Read a newspaper.
Use your library.
Volunteer at a food pantry.
Join your local church or synagogue.
Teach someone to read.
Include Exercise Every Day
In 1513, Ponce de Leon discovered the Fountain of Youth in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. The Fountain of Youth still exists and keeps people everywhere healthy. There is at least one branch of it in your neighborhood, located on a sidewalk or roadside where you can walk every day.
If that’s not convenient for you, another nearby branch is in your local fitness center. You’ll be healthier when you visit it regularly.
Take a Grounding Break
Try meditation, walking your dog, giving your cat a massage, or staring out the window into nothingness.
The activity isn’t so important. What’s important is that, when you complete this small task, you’ll have given yourself a refreshing, grounding break.
You’ll continue with your day feeling more positive, relaxed. Your fresh new take on the day will ripple out to those around you.
Review Your Situation
Now might be a good time to write about important moments in your life. You don’t have to focus on what happened in your life. Focus, instead, on what you did about what happened to you.
Write short stories, essays, poems, or keep a journal.
Whatever you choose, if you need help, you may find it at your library.
Reflexology and Reiki
Do not overlook a weekly session. Both these modalities bring homeostasis which is crucial these days. Both these modalities are adaptable to many different situations.
Do you practice Reiki? No? Find a teacher. If you do…have you thought about a Reiki circle for your area?
We all need more Reiki. We all need more reflexology.
When I think about Reiki and reflexology, my heart sings!
Thank you for reading this article. Please share it on your favorite social media network.
Please send it to a friend.
Thurman Greco
