Part 1: 4 Steps to Releasing Offenses

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Forgiveness is rarely an event but a process or journey.  As stated at the beginning of this chapter, the pain we can feel from betrayal, suffering or loss is very real and can take time to work through. Forgiving a wrong does not mean we are declaring that what happened to us is okay. Nor does is require you to pretend you don’t remember the offense. And in some cases, those who have brought the offense are no longer with us or we are unable to communicate with them directly. Regardless of your current relationship with the offender, the choice to forgive is extremely important for YOU! 

There are multiple benefits when we choose to work through the process and forgive. Here are just a few:

• As long as we allow the offense to hold us in un-forgiveness, we are shackled to that offender and ultimately, to our past. Forgiving sets us free from those chains so we can, once again, find freedom in ourselves.
• When we forgive, in time, we alter our body chemistry or physiology, both in our bodies and minds, increasing our energy, calming our senses and restoring our health.
• We rediscover our lives and slowly our happiness returns and our state of mind improves.

Follow these steps below and work through them every day for as long as it takes

STEP #1: IDENTIFY THE HURT OR OFFENSE

Label the offense and label the feelings you may have as a result. Be as specific as you can. Consider writing them down on a sheet of paper and then destroying it or burying it as a way of symbolically declaring an “end” to your suffering.

• Who or what caused this offense?
• What was the offense?
• How did you feel at the time? 
• How do you feel now? 

Excerpts and insights* from Chapter 6 of "Your Journey to Greatness Through Routine: A Guide to Creating a Success Routine"
 Book Contains:

• 7 Actual Case Studies
• 8 Downloadable Tools
• Assessment Questions at the End of Each Chapter

*Certain portions have been added to actual book excerpts by the author.
  LEARN MORE AND PURCHASE THE BOOK at http://michellesteffes.com/book

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Michelle L Steffes is a Certified Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Executive Coach and Author of two books: "Reframe & Rewire" (also available on Audible) and "The Machine Inside Me." Discover more and contact her through her website, IPV Consulting.