I am very thankful for Mayo Clinic. If given the choice between researching a topic via Mayo or WebMD, I hope we will always trust the more credible resource. That is Mayo, in case it needs to be said for anyone. After all, you should “be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.” (-Mark Twain) If you do not improve your skills of forgiveness, you may also die sooner. Do not take my word for it. Please read this Mayo article on the life-changing importance of forgiveness and why you should practice it.
Mayo Clinic is a world-renowned medical institute, and they have been the #1 overall medical center in America for close to a decade now. They have an established presence across the country, and they are a nonprofit organization that employs tens of thousands of people. Their research and education lead the medical and science world in many areas. They even integrate the arts into their care; they focus on holistic healing for all.
Forgiving isn’t something you do for someone else. It’s something you do for yourself.
It’s saying, ‘You’re not important enough to have a stranglehold on me.’
It’s saying, ‘You don’t get to trap me in the past. I am worthy of a future.’
-Jodi Picoult
When practiced effectively and routinely, forgiveness can lead you down the paths of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and well-being. Holding onto a grudge can negatively impact your health, it can negatively affect your ongoing relationships, and it can cloud your current moment, stealing present possibilities. You are not winning in this situation; you choose to continue losing by holding on. We should hold onto as little as possible here, especially when it relates to negative emotions and feelings. Learn from it, then move on. Forgiveness frees you from the past. You can stop circling your thoughts around the same concern, you can start exploring new opportunities, and you can live, laugh, and love again. It is not easy, but it is worth it. How many times have I said that phrase by now? Y’all, I do not sugjest easy solutions, but I think I do tackle tough truths.
Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.
-Steve Maraboli
I like how much the article from Mayo Clinic also stresses the fact that you do not have to return to the way things were whenever you do forgive someone or something. In fact, you can and probably should instead strive to live a better life according to your values. Forgiveness gives you the chance to break free and begin again. Remember what the tough topic taught you as you progress; I do not sugjest stagnation nor any steps to regress. You control your lane. If you do not forgive, how much baggage are you dragging along behind you in your lane? How much does that garbage slow you down? I hope that visual helps if nothing else so far has. Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.