The challenge If you feel yourself bristling against the idea of letting go of negative judgments toward yourself and others, and offering gratitude instead, that’s okay. That resistance is the perfect place to begin.  Think of it as an experiment. Try these three steps to get yourself started:

1. Spout off every resistant thought in your head and every resistant feeling in your body. “No way am I forgiving___.” “Be thankful for ___, I’d rather___.” “I deserve to feel angry, guilty, resentful about…” “I can’t believe I’m even thinking about doing this, how stupid.” Keep going until you get them all. Get in touch with how this feels energetically in your mind and body.
2. Thank yourself for having those thoughts and beliefs as a way of protecting yourself. Really get into it. Review each statement with sincere gratitude. “Thank you that I feel___.” Notice how this feels energetically.
3. Then tune in quietly and deeply to notice the wisdom of your soul. What does it say about holding on and letting go, feeling resistant and giving thanks? Once more, notice the energetic shift in yourself. It may be subtle, most likely not, and will almost definitely happen. For me, it expresses itself as a profound sense of relief and very different perceptions, usually preceded by a deep breath. Once in a while I have a good laugh about a situation I was upset about moments before.

When you are ready to embrace the challenge, try these exercises to bring the energy of forgiveness and gratitude into your life.

• Offer focused, heart-felt gratitude for at least five people, situations, things you take for granted, and/or blessings each and every day. Keep a list if you want.
• When feeling troubled, express appreciation for the person or situation you do not feel happy about. This offering must be genuine, even if it is purely a matter of will and choice through gritted teeth. Whether you keep your words of gratitude to yourself, or share them with the world, do express them aloud. Let the words sink into your being.When you speak out loud and write it down, you are doubly blessed as you engage your senses and body along with your mind.

Here are some examples:

1. Socks on the floor again – Thank you again for my healthy children/spouse. Thank you that we have clothes, a home…
2. Red sky sunset – Ahh, no words needed.
3. I woke up this morning. Thank you for life, breath and the opportunity to have a wonderful, meaningful day.
4. Bags of groceries to unpack – Thank you that we have so much food to eat, a car to carry it in, a kitchen to store and prepare it.
5. Feeling guilt over a past transgression – Thank you for showing me I have to release something and/or make it right. I release my guilt and choose the feeling of intent and purpose that will move me forward in this situation instead of keeping me stuck. Thank you for all the lessons I learned/will learn (state them if you know them).
6. A backstabbing coworker – Thank you for this person. Thank you that he did that to me even though I don’t understand why. Thank you that I have to put up with his gossip and backstabbing every day. Thank you for the lessons he’s teaching me about myself. Bless him. Keep me safe, alert and open to whatever good is in this situation, and the good to come. Thank you.

As you read the challenge, you may have been surprised by the emphasis on gratitude over forgiveness. That is because when you choose gratitude in the midst of painful experiences and emotions, forgiveness happens easily and naturally as a by-product of believing and trusting in the ultimate greater good and opening yourself to it. We would love for you to share your gratitude list and how releasing the past and being grateful has made your life better. Please tell us about it in the comments. Blessings to you and Happy Thanks-giving. Views:]]>