Question: Can you explain to me about forgiveness? Is forgiveness (and “making amends”) something that I (a recovering addict) need to address? It seems silly to think I need to drag up every person from my past that I did something hurtful to. But what about those big relationships as in family? Will forgiveness and amends help in the healing of me?

Answer: Your intuition is good; learn to trust it, which doesn’t mean to close your eyes and follow it blindly. In this instance, there are times and people that pass through our lives when and with whom we realize we have missed the mark; and, even though they may have been cruel or mistaken in their actions towards us, we know we were part of the destruction that followed. When we feel the need to apologize and/or to let them know that we harbor no hatred or anger towards them, we should listen to our heart. It may be that this message of forgiveness is intended for the person we send it to; but, in many such cases, it’s equally likely that this message of forgiveness has been first sent to us from our own heart… indicating we can let go of who and what we have been… and move deeper into our relationship with True Love itself.

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