Forgive – the Doterra emotional aromatherapy blend, the colour green, such a healing colour. Someone commented that it smelt like being out in their garden, which is their safe, quiet, peaceful haven. As I inhale the healing aroma’s of this essential oil it got me thinking about forgiveness. Forgiveness is seen as a dirty word by so many people, as in “Why should I forgive him for doing that?” “I am not going to forgive her for saying that?”

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting the action that was done, or going back and letting the same transgression happen time and time again as in the case of domestic violence or bullying. Rather forgiveness is the action of letting go, with the intent not to hold onto the pain and anger. Forgiveness is forgiving ourselves for being human. If we don’t, we can end up sick, our body exhibiting the pain negative emotions held onto by our mind and spirit.  

Like any learnt pattern of behaviour, or any change to a normal pattern of behaviour, forgiving ourselves, or others, can take practice. Conversely it is not something we should dwell on, as what we focus on is what we bring into our lives. For me, if I dwell on the transgressions I need to forgive myself for, mainly to do with my perception that I could have parented way better and had a better outcome for my children, that’s not a good thing. I have found the best way to do this, is to check in on time to time with my state of mind around this, and when I find myself reliving the parts I regret or the outcomes I didn’t want, I let these thoughts go and focus on building better relationships with my kids in the future. I don’t know how, but I do believe this will happen one day.

I had a boss once, who I worked really well with, until her boss messed with her head and she took it out on me. For ages I couldn’t speak to her, acknowledge her (after I moved to another job, not while I was working with her) as I couldn’t forgive or forget how badly she had treated me. When I reflected on this, I knew why she had behaved in this way, her boss really was a horrible bully of a man and she was lashing out at me, her staff, her home life wasn’t that great either. So now on the rare times I see her, I can say hello and even engage in a short conversation, I haven’t forgotten how she treated me, but I have forgiven her for doing so.

It helps, to put ourselves in others shoes, when thinking of forgiveness. However there are a couple of people who had positions of power who have behaved badly, that I won’t excuse their behaviour. I have let go on the anger and pain associated with those people and their actions. I can’t change them, how they behave but I can change my reaction to them. I won’t be pulled into any drama they may try to create or insinuate. And I have forgiven myself for any issue associated with these people.

So getting back to this awesome emotional aromatherapy essential oil – Forgive. Diffuse it, use it as a roller blend on your wrists, over your heart, on the soles of your feet. Let go of pain and anger – towards yourself, others and your situation and feel yourself start to heal and smile again.