The Road to Freedom

Written by Jason Shields

We can change our attitudes about our past. The past is over and done and cannot be changed. Yet we can change our thoughts about the past. Have you considered how foolish it is for you to punish yourself in the present moment because someone hurt you long ago or that you misbehaved in a prior situation? If we continue to choose to believe that we are helpless victims and that life is hopeless, then the Universe will support us in that belief. Our worst opinions of ourselves will be confirmed.

If we choose to believe that we are responsible for our experiences, the good and the so-called "bad", then we have the power and the opportunity to outgrow the effects of the past. We can change. We can be free. The road to freeedom is through the doorway to forgiveness. We may not know how to forgive and we may not want to forgive; but if we are willing to forgive, we may begin the healing process. It is imperative for our own healing that we release the past and forgive everyone.

I'm not saying that it is all right that someone behaved in a misguided way. However, we must be aware that the past is over. We only carry hurt and the memory in our mind. This is what we want to let go of: the pain we are continuing to cause ourselves because we won't forgive. Forgiveness means giving up, letting go. We understand our own pain so well, yet it is hard for most of us to understand the pain of someone who treated us badly. That person we need to forgive was also in pain. And they are only mirroring what we believed about ourselves. They were doing the best they could, given the knowledge, understanding, and awareness they possessed at the time.