The SURPRISING CONNECTION between forgiveness and making a difference

Flash Back to winter of 2011, just two years ago.

After months of no clients, I was considering going back to a day job which in my head was the absolute worst thing that could happen. Overwhelmed with guilt, and feeling completely discontent I couldn’t believe I was stupid enough to quit my day job, our primary source of income. How could I ever forgive myself?

With the help of my husband, some prayer and plenty of Alicia Keys song, Wait till you see me smile, I forgave myself and told myself, “honey, it’s time to hustle…no more day jobs, no more feeling sorry for yourself. Erin, I forgive you and it’s time to move forward, get clear on what I’m here to do and DO IT.”

Within a month, I started working on End Sex Trafficking Day and felt freedom in knowing that was exactly what I was meant to do and teach other entrepreneurs to do. The spark that allowed me to do it? Forgiveness.

Today I’ll be talking about why forgiveness is so needed in order to turn your business into a movement and truly make a difference in the world and three steps you can take today in order to do it.

Every client I work with finds it so surprising and always feels resistance to doing forgiveness work, but this is the kind of thing that can keep you held back in your life, business, change making, parenting and relationships for years if you don’t do it now.


In a study conducted for his book Forgive for Good, Dr. Fred Luskin found that, “People who were taught to (and did) forgive, became less angry, more optimistic, compassionate and self confident. They also carried less stress.”

Now the connection between forgiveness and making a difference, you ready?
In order to make a difference you need to embody a kind, optimistic, compassionate and confident attitude. Right?! I mean, when was the last time you saw you’re angry neighbor or family member who thinks the world is more screwed than the day before and is always stressed out adopt a family for Christmas or create a fundraiser to benefit women recovering from domestic abuse?

I’m guessing never. I know forgiving people or yourself for really crappy things they’ve done to you or the ones you love is not easy…but take it from me, it’s worth it.

Lewis Smedes says, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and discover that the prisoner was you.”

In the last round of Rocket Your Revolution, my Rockateers shared some heavy and confidential stories from their past in our private facebook . Things they had been harboring in their hearts over the years towards others that resulted in them holding on to unforgiveness. After getting past the resistance of the lesson, they were overwhelmed with how incredible they felt doing the work. And how obvious it was that some of the issues (abuse, health issues etc.) that resulted in their unforgiveness had become the cause they were so deeply passionate about making a difference in. The beautiful thing? Because they stepped into getting vulnerable, sharing the hurt from their past and releasing it all with forgiveness, they are now set free to make a difference.

One of my Rockateers, Khadija Hawkes, says…”At first, I was definitely a bit confused that the course started with this module, but after going through the exercises, it made so much sense. We all have dealt with trying experiences and relationships and as people looking go make a difference, clearing those emotions and fears allows you to show up in a bigger way- more centered, purposeful and at peace with where you’ve been and where you’re going. I think it also put us in an excellent frame of mind to remember that the people we want to serve with our revolutions all have been through similar things and it opens us up even more to serving with compassion and a giving spirit.”

What was hurt is now healed and free to impact others lives.

While reading this article, has someone popped into your head that you need to forgive? Or have you thought of a situation where you need to forgive yourself? I dare you to take quiet moment, pull out a journal and follow the three steps I have listed below:

1. Close your eyes, think about the times in your life that you were shocked or hurt by someone (or yourself).

2. As they come to you, write them down.

3. Now, journal a forgiveness statement to them. For example, Dear (insert name) I forgive you for (insert offense)…although at the time it made me feel (insert feeling) I release it and forgive you. I’m sorry for holding this in my heart.

Although it doesn’t seem easy, once you get started you will find it surprising how good it feels and how easy it flows out of you to forgive.

Now you know and understand the connection between forgiviness and making the difference you’re desiring to make. Perhaps it will move you from the optimistic view of, “I’m just one little person, what can I do?”…to “Whooo! This Girl is on fire, I was holding on to some crap, now that it’s gone I’m ready to make an impact!”

What next?

Share– We all know just how many unforgiving people are in our lives, share this article using the click to tweet or share buttons below.

This surprising connection brings change to you + the world via @erinmgiles http://bit.ly/1e3pqmQ

Here’s to forgivness + freedom,

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