Let go of the past and forgive

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It’s Global Forgiveness Day, which means it’s time to let go of any grudges you’re holding and move on towards a more positive life.

When someone hurts you, regardless of whether it’s emotionally, mentally or financially, it can feel like a dagger being plunged right through your heart. It’s difficult to forgive someone when they’ve caused you so much pain; however, the struggle may be worth it, as studies have shown that holding on to a grudge can cause you even more harm than you’ve already suffered.

Buddha once said: “Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else: you are the one who gets burned”.

Studies have shown that when people think of offenders in unforgiving ways, they tend to experience stronger negative emotions and physiological stress responses such as muscle tension, sweating, increased heart rate and raised blood pressure. In contrast, when people think about offenders in forgiving ways, they tend to experience great positive emotion as well as greater perceived control and less potent negative emotions and stress.

A recent unusual study from Erasmus University in the Netherlands found that holding a grudge can act like a literal weight on your shoulders, holding you down and making you feel heavy and sluggish. And the University of Georgia found that people who were more likely to hold grudges were also more likely to have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, arthritis, back problems, headaches and chronic pain.

Here are some other negative effects of bearing a grudge:

1. You are more likely to bring anger and bitterness into every new relationship and experience.

2. You can become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can’t enjoy the present.

3. You may become depressed and anxious.

4. You may feel your life lacks purpose, or you’re at odds with spiritual beliefs.

5. You’re more likely to lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others.

These side effects make it easy to see why forgiveness is the best option for you. Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. It is a choice to lessen the grip someone has on you and focus on the more positive parts of your life. It can lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the person who hurt you.

Forgiveness also leads to happier and healthier relationships, greater spiritual and psychological well-being, less anxiety, stress and hostility, lower blood pressure, fewer symptoms of depression, a stronger immune system, improved heart health and higher self-esteem.

So whatever anyone has done to you, choose to forgive them today.