The Gift of Forgiveness

The holidays may be over but there's still one last gift to open — and it's something you can actually give yourself — it's the gift of forgiveness.

Yes... forgiveness. We all need that little reminder to look beyond the hurt and resentments and use the power of forgiveness to move forward.

Did you know that there are real health benefits to forgiveness? According to a study from the Mayo Clinic forgiveness can lead to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, improved mental health and less anxiety, stress and hostility.

That's why I love our new book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Forgiveness Fix. So many stories that show how forgiveness can help you mange your hurt and focus on what's really important.

Here is a preview of one of my favorite stories from the book about how it’s never too late to use the power of forgiveness:

In her story "Writing to My Dead Father" Noelle Sterne had locked away her feelings about her father for years, burying them under all the distractions of daily life. But then, years after his death, she took a personal-growth workshop in which the students were encouraged to write about an unresolved issue. Noelle decided to write to her father, letting out all her disappointment in a rush of words. As she wrote she realized how much her father had actually contributed to her life, and how he was a role model in many ways. And that’s when she was able to write that she loved him and forgave him for his cold silences and sarcastic putdowns. She recognized that he had been living a life that deeply disappointed him, a Juilliard-trained musician forced to work in unfulfilling administrative jobs instead of pursuing his passion. Noelle says, “I felt lighter than ever before. The armor of resentment and unexpressed sadness dissolved, yielding to long-buried love.”

Inspirational

Chicken Soup for the Soul has been “changing lives one story at a time”® since 1993 with more than 250 books that provide hope, inspiration, and tips for a better life. Virtually every title becomes a self-help bestseller. Each book contains 101 true, personal stories submitted by ordinary people with extraordinary experiences to share. The topics are wide-ranging, but always inspirational and entertaining, covering everything from faith and spirituality to family, marriage, pets, and overcoming challenges of all kinds. Life values such as gratitude, forgiveness, mindfulness, positive thinking, and giving back are a big part of the series, with specific self-help books that help readers of all ages, from children to the elderly.