For the last 6 years we have (mostly) stopped giving Xmas gifts and instead donate to a local charity, like Ben’s Bells.
This practice evolved out of a desire to focus on experiences instead of “stuff” and supports our continuing journey of minimalism. Over time, people got the message and (mostly) stopped giving us things!
On the day after Xmas, as I was walking my usual trail through the frosty Sonoran desert, I realized that I did I want to give myself a gift this year.
When listening to the news, I had heard a clip of former president Bill Clinton apologizing to the American people after he was impeached. It sounded heartfelt and something profound shifted inside me.
Even though I want to forgive and let the past go, I was still carrying resentment for big and small events that happened years ago. The people involved either didn’t know or simply didn’t care that they had hurt me. And some of them were dead. What was I doing lugging around the weight and clutter of this old resentment?
Bill Clinton helped me realize that I still needed an apology from these folk. Obviously, it wasn’t going to come from them, but part of me was still waiting for it. Unfinished business!
I pondered some more and had the thought, “What if I gave myself the gift of imagining every single person who had ever wronged me actually apologizing and making amends?”
So Reader, I did!
I spent the next 20 minutes of my hike doing this with everyone who came to mind. It wasn’t earth-shattering, but I felt a shift out of being in that victim place and enjoyed the feeling of my energy being freed from the constriction I had created with my resentment. And I felt proud that I was being kind to myself!
I do this type of release work in my sessions with clients, using Matrix Reimprinting. But sometimes I forget to clear my own internal clutter. Thanks to Bill Clinton for reminding me of what I needed to do to fully forgive and move on.
I wish you all much Love and tender self-care in the New Year!
Beautiful message
Thank you!