Release The Past & Start Forgiving !!

[Guest guest]

" RELEASE THE PAST AND START FORGIVING!! " Written by Louise L. Hay

" We're starting a new year, which always makes us sit up and think

about change. I know, you want everybody and everything else to

change. Your mother, father, boss, friend, sister, lover, landlord,

neighbor, minister, or government official must adapt so that YOUR

life can be perfect. It doesn't work that way. If you want change in

your life, then you're the one who must do the changing. When you do

so, all the other people in your world will change in relation to

you.

" Are you willing to change?

" If you are, then together we can create the life that you say you

want. All you have to do is change some of your thoughts and release

some of your beliefs. Sound simple? It is. However, it's not always

easy. Let's explore some of the things that you may believe in

different areas of your life. If you have positive beliefs, then I

urge you to keep them and expand upon them. And if you find negative

beliefs, then I'll help you let them go.

" My life is a good example of what can happen when you change your

thinking. I went from being a battered and abused child who grew up

in poverty with little self-esteem and many problems, to a well-

known woman who is able to help others. I no longer live in pain and

suffering -- I've created a wonderful life for myself . . . and you

can, too.

" I encourage you to be gentle with yourself. Change can be difficult

or it can be easy. Acknowledge every effort that you make. Know that

there may be a transitional period between your old and new belief

systems. Don't be discouraged. Be loving with yourself in the same

way that you'd be to a dear friend. Give yourself every

encouragement as you go through this new experience.

" What I especially want to make available at this moment are some

ideas for you to think about, and perhaps you'll feel moved to try

them.

" First and foremost, the past is over and done and can't be changed.

Yet we CAN change our thoughts about it. We CAN change our attitude

toward the past. How foolish it is for us to punish ourselves in the

present moment because someone hurt us long ago. We CAN change. We

can be free.

" Write down this list of words using one piece of paper for each

heading. Then write down what they mean to you. For example, do you

believe that men are strong, bossy, and smart? Do you find that

women get paid less, have to clean the house, and are soft and

tender? Do you say, " God loves me, but I'm afraid of God? "

" Think about all the things that these words mean to you. Make the

list as long as you like.

*** " Here are the categories for the columns or headings: Men,

Women, Love, Sex, Work, Money, Success, Failure, God. " ***

" Now notice the areas that are difficult for you. Do you have

conflicting beliefs? How many of your answers are negative? Put a

star next to those answers. Do you really want to continue to build

your life on these convictions? Be aware that someone taught you

these ideas. Yet now that you've seen them, you can choose to let

them go.

" The first step to letting go and cultivating a different

perspective on life is to say the following seven affirmations every

day. Post them where you can see them. Read them often. Memorize

them. Don't get stuck in your specific problems. When you really

accept these ideas and make them a part of your belief system, you

become powerful, and the problems will often solve themselves. The

object is to change what you believe about yourself and the world

you live in.

" SEVEN POWER POINTS TO A NEW YOU "

1. We are each responsible for our experiences.

2. Every thought we think is creating our future.

3. Everyone is dealing with the damaging patterns of resentment,

criticism, guilt, and self-hatred.

4. These are only thoughts, and thoughts can be changed.

5. We need to release the past and forgive everyone.

6. Self-approval and self-acceptance in the " now " are the keys to

positive changes.

7. The point of power is always in the present moment.

" Don't give your power away. Learn to understand more of your inner,

spiritual self, and operate under the power that created only good

for you. Give yourself permission to live a glorious life! "

Copyright 2005. This wonderful article was excerpted from " The

Louise Hay Newsletter " , January/February 2005 issue, No. 20.

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Carlsbad, CA 920180-5100

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Also check out these websites: www.hayhouse.com

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