Forgiveness – Self-Critic

So, I have a new question for you.

Can Forgiveness be a daily practice?

Or, is it something we only do once in a while to resolve an emotional issue we have been dealing with for a long time?

Certainly a formal Forgiveness practice can help us to let go of thoughts and feelings that have been nagging us, generating feelings of guilt, and causing suffering for us over some period of time. Letting go and releasing the grip of our anger and resentment can free our minds to more deeply connect with our innate wisdom and compassion. This is a good practice to engage with on a regular basis in our lives. Sort of a “Spring Cleaning” of the mind.

However, we may be able to engage with a more immediate practice that we can use in our daily experience.

Do you know your inner critic? You know, that little voice in your head that says, “How could you be so stupid?” “You dummy!” “You are not good enough.” “You are not smart enough.” “You are such a jerk.” “No one will like you.” Well, that is what my inner critic says. What does yours say? I am sure you have your own series of phrases that seem to repeat in your mind when you are under stress, or challenged, or pressured.

So, let’s try a new Forgiveness practice that operates in the present moment.

Whenever you hear your inner critic speaking up, immediately use the forgiveness practice with that specific criticism, like:

“I forgive myself for not being smart enough.”

“I forgive myself for thinking I am not good enough.”

“I forgive myself for sometimes acting without considering others feelings.”

“I forgive myself for judging my self worth.”

“I forgive myself for needing the approval of others.”

When you are able to respond in the moment like this: recognize the tension you feel around that criticism, engage with the feeling of forgiveness, and relax the mind and body, letting the power of forgiveness soften your reactions.

Repeat as necessary.