There are three levels of forgiveness.
The first level is to forgive others. This can be a difficult step. To forgive implies that at one time there was a flaw, offense or mistake committed by another against us. The offense may have been heinous, reprehensible or unimaginably cruel. Or it may have been a simple misunderstanding that has grown out of proportion.
Choosing to forgive another can be a big step. It may require a complete reset of beliefs. Some beliefs which may help to define who we see ourselves.
The second level is to forgive ourselves. We are usually our harshest critic. We see mistakes and flaws invisible to others. Not letting us get beyond our past. Maybe we choose to forgive ourselves for holding on to anger or sadness for so long. Maybe for making choices that at the time seemed to be the wrong ones.
Our inner self-critic can be cruel and unrelenting. Choosing to forgive ourselves takes courage and patience – especially if we are well practiced as a critic.
The third level is to recognize that no forgiveness is necessary.
Even by offering forgiveness you still harbor judgment. You still see that there is something to forgive. Something that is or was bad.
The shift from forgiving to accepting can be just as significant as the original act of forgiving.
We are here now because of everything that we’ve experienced.
