The Art of Forgiveness Jane Freeman LISW-S, DCSW

Benefits of Forgiving
Decreased anger decreased depression decreased anxiety improved sleep enhanced sense of well-being spiritually enriched

Our Choice
We have been given the gift of the ability to make choices we can choose to forgive we can choose to not take offense we can choose not to blame

How: 4 steps to forgiving

Step One: Self-justified Anger

blame the other forgotten that have a choice to react or respond convinced that not right to forgive the offense

How: 4 steps to forgiving

Step Two:

realization that anger doesnt feel good emotional, spiritual or physical dis-ease wish to repair the relationship see from other persons point of view simply decide to let the problem go after an extended time, no longer angry

How: 4 steps to forgiving

Step Three: choose to let anger go quickly you have experienced the beneficial results of forgiveness before choose to feel the hurt for a short period of time and then let go or repair recognize the length of time you experience anger is your choice

How: 4 steps to forgiving

Step Four: proactive choice to rarely get angry forgive in advance of a trigger not want to waste life with the discomfort that anger causes anger blocks joy operating out of self-interest is human and universal

How: 4 steps to forgiving proactively

Ask Gods help in healing Establish a ritual towards forgiveness (eg. writing injuries on paper and burning them)