In a society that often encourages us to feel our feelings, I worry we sometimes spend too much time feeling hurt. Hurt is a gateway to attracting other low-frequency emotions like resentment, mistrust, judgment, envy, and lust. It nurtures and feeds a “me narrative,” clouding your view of all there is to be grateful for.
When we wade too long in our hurt, we block the natural ease and flow of each new day. That stagnant energy creates space for even more negativity to enter our lives, pulling us further from peace.
Forgiveness is a powerful remedy. Think of it as offloading a heavy burden from yourself. Resentment is like wearing a weighted vest. You cannot skip through the tulips with such a heavy load strapped to your chest. It holds you back from lightness, joy, and all the beauty life has to offer.
The first step is simple awareness. Pause and reflect.
You were hurt—it didn’t feel good—but it doesn’t need to be more complicated than that. The urge for justice may feel overwhelming, but justice is not yours to enforce. It’s not your role to judge others. Who are we to judge when we ourselves are flawed?
Holding onto hurt is a fast track to misery, but December is a wonderful time to let it go. As the year comes to a close, you can reflect and release all the hurt in one meaningful gesture. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice brings a symbolic darkness that helps us notice even the faintest glimmers of warm light—light that forgiveness allows to shine. Take out your candles and use dimmers on your lights. Allow the warmth in to incase you.
As you celebrate this season in the way it was meant to be celebrated—in the true Christian sense—through giving your time and love to those in need, don’t forget to drop the weighted vest of resentment. Lift your head high, open your heart, and notice the abundance of love all around you. Let the light of forgiveness shine into your soul and feel the freedom it brings—the freedom to choose love over pain, gratitude over grievance.
This freedom is a gift—one that has been given to you. Use it well.