How Do I Forgive Myself?

by Bill Krause

One of the key components in life is to forgive yourself.  To walk in the true success of life you must start by forgiving yourself.

We are most often our own worst critic.  People are usually harder on themselves than anyone else would even dare to be.  We know and are aware of each and every mistake we have made and keep ourselves accountable for it.  It is not uncommon to think and say “But I knew better.”  We have forgiven others for the same thing we will not forgive ourselves for. 

It is necessary to be willing to forgive, forget and move on.

It is difficult to live with a person who is not forgiving. They are irritable, touchy, moody, no fun to be with.  They have a tendency to complain and look at the negative side of life.  They take the fun out of the party, the warmth out of the sun, the energy out of the race.  The bottom line is that the unforgiving person does not add anything to life.  Instead, they take away from life.

How could we possibly enjoy living with ourself when we are the one who is doint that very thing -- not walking in forgiveness of ourselves?

There is no possibility that we could ever get away from ourselves.  Everywhere we go, we are there.  We do not bring a positive presentation to the situation because we are walking in a negative attitude toward ourselves.

Smile, decide to get away from your old ways and forgive yourself.  It will be good to have you back, with your pleasant ways adding a boost to others and not being a drain.

Allow yourself the opportunity to live life to the fullness: forgive yourself. 

Below are seven steps to help you on your path to forgiving yourself.

How Do I Forgive Myself?

1.  Realize that you are important and without forgiving yourself you put yourself in prison.
2.  Know that you have the authority to forgive yourself.  You are the judge and the jury.
3. Choose to forgive yourself.  You are the decision maker, you have the position and the right to forgive you.
4. Confirm it daily.  Often it takes time to fully remove a bad habit.  Remind yourself daily “I am forgiven.”
5. Talk it out.  Take it a step at a time.  Share with those you are intimate with that you have forgiven yourself, that you are committed to walking in forgiveness. This will reaffirm your new way of life.
6. Know, live, enjoy your forgiveness.  Now that you have embraced forgiveness as a part of your personal life, allow that bounce that is in your step to take you through life with joy.
7. Now go out. Live a life of forgiving others with your new found freedom.  Give what you have lived with yourself to others so that they can walk in the fullness of joy.