Forgive for You, Not for Them
Where do unresolved negative emotions go? One possibility is that the negative energy from those emotions gets trapped in our bodies. This creates energy imbalances that can lead to stress, illness, and overall discomfort in our bodies.
One way to find energetic balance is through forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting that someone treated you poorly, or that you disappointed yourself with your actions.
Forgiveness means letting go of your anger, hurt, bitterness, and judgment over this memory. It means acknowledging that there is nothing to be gained by continuing to suffer over something in the past. It means learning from the experience and applying those lessons to improve your life and/or the lives of others.
Think of an experience with someone else or yourself that brings up negative emotions. Start with something small like the person that cut you off in traffic and work up to the big stuff.
(If your negative emotions are trauma-related, do not complete this exercise without the guidance and support of a trained professional.)
What emotions are you feeling around this experience?
Sit with the emotions for a few minutes. Describe the physical sensations that accompany the emotions (e.g., tightness in the chest, a lump in the throat, sweaty palms, etc.).
Write a letter to the person whose words, actions, or behavior led to these emotions. Tell them how the experience made you feel. Let them know how this experience has affected your life. Offer them forgiveness. Thank them for the lesson they brought into your life. Tell them how this lesson has allowed you to grow.
After writing the letter, check back in with yourself.
What emotions do you now have about the experience?
What physical sensations are accompanying those emotions?
Continue using this exercise as often as you like to keep releasing these trapped emotions. You may keep the letters you write, destroy them, or give them to the intended recipient.
**If you plan to give the letter to another person, be sure your intention is to help them, not to hurt them. If you use this activity to shift your pain to another person, it will not help you. Intentionally causing pain to another person traps more negative energy in your body.
My recommendations are intended for your general knowledge only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.