I have lead and or participated in four retreats from coast to coast in the last few weeks. Among the power, transformation, and transcendence in me and the retreatants that I witness, are unmistakable shifts in all aspects of being human-emotional, physical, psychological, mental, and financial. One thing that is common for all transformation is spiritual practices and PRACTICING the PRACTICES.

I was shown two GIANT keys for life at a very young age. I would describe this guidance as a visual as we are all kinesthetic. The keys were taller than the sky. The keys were gratitude and forgiveness. I have practiced both for the majority of my life, daily practices, including writing, speaking, praying, rituals, purification, atonement, fasting, and inventory work. Through daily forgiveness practice, I have realized a new and very significant shift in my energy, heart, creativity, and flow. I invite you to find a practice that will UPLIFT, INSPIRE, and SHIFT you and your energy bodies to new heights. I will speak about gratitude practices in next month's newsletter.

Here are a few ideas/possibilities.

Practicing the 'F' Word - 5 Steps to Forgiveness

Forgiveness (of both self and others) is the most powerful spiritual tool we have, and it is accessible to all of us. Forgiveness is synonymous with freedom, one of the most important conditions for happiness. The Buddha compared holding onto anger to grasping hot coals with the intent of throwing them at someone else. You, of course, are the one that gets burnt. So, why is it that we often walk around holding onto resentment, grudges, and animosity? Sometimes for years or even a lifetime. Why do we recycle unpleasant circumstances in our minds and keep those wounds open?

Forgiveness ( of both self and others) is the most powerful spiritual tool we have, and it is accessible to all of us.

Forgiveness is synonymous with liberation, and while it is easy to say forgive and forget in theory, it's not always so easy to put into practice. If somebody wrongs us, why should they be let off the hook for being awful? What about how they made you feel? You didn't deserve that, right?

But, here is the thing. Forgiving somebody does not mean that what they did is okay or that you are going to be best friends and have them over for dinner. It just means that you are unbinding from them and are no longer going to allow them to have any control over you, your feelings, or your energy. You owe it to yourself to completely let go of any animosity so you can live your most peaceful and joyful life. Forgiveness is a choice.

Uppa Creek Photography

Here are some practices that can help guide you along your way:

1. Write it out and let it all out! Who did the wrong? Who caused your stress? Who caused your pain and suffering? Why are you upset? What did they do? How have you been wronged? How did it make you feel? Be completely real and raw. This is private, deep inner work, so don't hold back.

2. Venting, Ranting, Expressing to a mentor, coach, counselor has its merits too, but some techniques inadvertently fan the flames even more by agreeing with you or keeping you repeating the same stories over and over, making it even more difficult to rise above and let go. Writing gives you the therapeutic effects of venting, without the potential of making the situation even more volatile. As the words flow out of you, imagine letting all of the negative energy and emotions surrounding the subject being released out of your body with them.

3. Relate -- Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes and even empathize with them. Again, this doesn't make them right or what they did okay. It examines the why do you think they acted in such a way? Perhaps they had a difficult upbringing or some pretty hard knocks in their lifetime. Maybe they are going through a rough patch and you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and caught some of their shrapnel? Maybe they just don't know any better and they're dealing with the pain in their life the best way they know how. Practicing empathy and letting a little compassion flow is very healing. It's a reminder that we are all from the same human family, none of us without flaws or mistakes. We've all needed forgiveness at some point in our lives.

The next three practices are likely going to be tougher until you build some muscles!

4. Send them love and light. Find it in your heart to bless them and let go of the hurt feelings. Picture them as being happy and allow yourself to feel happiness for them. It takes tremendous strength to wish joy on the one who has done you wrong. But, it's also the most important step to freeing yourself. Everyone deserves happiness. If you can master this level of forgiveness your heart will always be less of worry.

5. Forgive yourself too! Sometimes you can be hard on yourself for what happened. Or worse, you are even beating yourself up over not being able to forgive and forget easily - that is an indicator. When you do find your mind going back to that unforgiving place, just know that your mind is creating this thought, AND that doesn't make it reality. Your soul and spirit are above this. When you identify a thought that does not align with your spirit, just allow it to come without attachment and look at it from the "observer" role, letting it pass by. By practicing staying in an objective view, you can prevent being subjected to the hurts.

6. Be grateful for what they have taught you. Every situation in our life, and especially the painful ones, can teach us something. Think of these people and experiences as spiritual assignments. In the case of not being able to forgive easily, that is an indicator of a potential major awakening. Show up for these assignments and be ready to receive the lesson. Be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow.

As with all practices, it will take PRACTICE, devotion and WILLINGNESS, before finally getting it all out of your system and moving on. Here's to eliminating suffering and stopping passing the pain on to the next generations. Who can practice the "f" word with me today? Do it for YOU!

All my Love,

"Forgiveness is a giving to my SELF."

~ Martha Creek

"I believe forgiveness is the best form of love in any relationship. It takes a strong person to say they're sorry and an even stronger person to forgive."

~ Yolanda Hadid

"When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future."

~ Bernard Meltzer

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Uppa Creek Photography

For a complete list of Martha's events, please visit 

www.marthacreek.com.