May 31

”Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.” Ann Landers

I surprised myself recently and attended a Christian rock concert, not something I thought I would do as an adult. However, it was a powerful experience, and one of the songs that I still have playing in the back of my head is about forgiveness. The artist at the concert even took the time to challenge everyone to think of who they could turn to after leaving to call and ask forgiveness of, or better yet, who they could forgive. It was not hard for me to find a few people in both those categories. My views of forgiveness are shifting as I work my program of recovery. I am learning that it is about taking back my power, about freeing me from self-imposed chains, and not at all about condoning or accepting the actions of others. My addict was the first person I have needed to give an eviction notice to, having over-stayed their welcome rent-free in my head. That is part of forgiving myself. In forgiving others, I am clearing out more rooms, space that I can use instead to be filled with my Higher Power, and a better spiritual force that will sustain me. I will fill those places with things that love and cherish me .

Affirmation Like all places, even my head needs the occasional spring cleaning. Forgiveness allows me to throw away baggage I have been carrying and makes room for better things.