The Space of Forgiveness

I’m learning how powerful forgiveness is. There are many types of forgiveness, but today I’m focusing on forgiveness of self. Forgiveness carves out a very special space in our lives, since it never leaves us where we started. It changes us. It empowers us. It allows us to breathe just a little bit deeper. We expand; we literally lighten and take up space differently because forgiveness gives us an understanding of our value. And as we understand that value, we expand and begin to take up that precious space, once more.

And that is the journey I am on right now. I will not skulk in the shadows anymore. I made poor choices in my 20’s and early 30’s, and am still paying for those choices today. So be it. Forever, it seems, I have turned inward. I have stayed small from embarrassment. I have felt worthless because of those choices. But not today. Going forward, I will choose another way.

I love the boggart-banishing “Riddikulus” spell in Harry Potter that the kids learn to cast. A boggart is a creature that takes the form of our greatest fear. So in order to get rid of the boggart, we must first acknowledge what we fear the most, and then face that fear, head-on: Stand up. Point your wand directly at the boggart, shout “Riddikulus”, and watch that boggart transform from something to fear into something to laugh at.

Yes, ridiculous!

What a wonderful lesson to remember. Before we can move on, we must acknowledge our fear and then face it directly. Looking at our fears head-on, instead of retreating from them, helps us to begin our journey of healing.

So my journey has begun. I am casting my spell today. Yes, it will be hard work. Yes, I have lots to do. And that is okay. Life and space are not always clean and tidy. In fact, they rarely are. I am alive. I am breathing. I am expanding into my space, authentically.

It may be messy, but I am laughing…big belly laughs of joy, all the way into my new space of freedom.

How blessed I am.

Call to action: What fear can you face today and begin to overcome?