The courage to forgive
I’ve been working in the field of trauma for close to thirty years: in women’s shelters, the federal penitentiary system, hospitals, schools and community. In all the dark spaces and all of the dark places, one universal truth I’ve come to understand is that healing and compassion are closely intertwined. Anger and shame anchor us to the past, whereas forgiveness and self-compassion pave the way forward. When we live in anger, we allow others to control the narrative of our journey. There’s incredible freedom in letting go.
Martin Luther King Jr. understood this when he wrote:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Desmond Tutu states:
Forgiveness is not weak. It takes incredible courage to face and overcome powerful emotions.
Next Thursday, our Maintaining Health Program is going to explore the freedom that accompanies compassion and forgiveness.
If you’ve taken a previous program, you’re welcome to join. Just drop us a line so that we know you’re coming.
We also still have spots left in the Navigating Next Steps Program Series, starting this Tuesday. Creating Confidence and Clarifying Strengths runs for five weeks. It is designed to build trust and confidence, identify strengths and re-affirm values that are most important.
We look forward to seeing you.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.Executive Director, Landing Strong
