Mental Wellness Step #5 of the 12 steps is, “We seek to educate ourselves about Recovery from the activities we participate in because it expands our capacity to heal.” This blog will challenge our assumptions about how to respond to those who have caused us harm. We are to love our enemies by loving the people who harmed us.
By extending our forgiveness to everyone equally, we embody the spiritual aspect of healing. Most likely, we have heard and read this somewhere before. Therefore, it is not a new revelation to us. Pondering what to share with you today, my heart sent a message telling me that we are not to hate our enemies. This is not even articulated in the bible. However, throughout the world, cultures embrace this belief. Some countries go to war over this belief. The people are taught to hate their enemies and, in some cases, kill each other over this sentiment.
Step #5 charges us to expand our capacity to heal. How? We forgive people who have harmed us. It took me over a decade to forgive my father for the harm he caused me as a child. I did not heal until my heart and soul connected with the painful memories. Once I released the bitterness, anger, and hate, I was free from the emotional hole in my soul.
This does not mean I forget what happened. The memories do not go away, but the emotional suffering no longer has a hold on me. Even today, a piece of bitterness or anger will surface. My response is, to not allow it to hold me hostage any longer.
I realize how difficult it is to take this step. I find people sometimes take years to forgive those who harmed them. For each one of us, the timing is different. That is ok! On the other hand, I believe it is a necessary step in our Recovery journey.
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/