Forgiveness is not easy. It takes courage to choose to forgive ourselves and the people and circumstances that have affected us. It takes strength to let go in the name of your own healing.

Forgiveness is the pathway to love. By working through forgiveness, you allow space to let love in, to set your soul free.

Like a hot air balloon which is ready to take flight, but held back by a few ropes tying it down to Earth, so is your soul. Beautiful, capable of such wonderful things as flying freely in the wind.

The flame powering your balloon comes from your solar plexus, your personal powerhouse in the center of your belly. The fire within is ready to take you to unimaginable heights.

What if the ropes holding you back are the anger and resentment you have been holding on to. What if the only thing stopping your soul from soaring is you, holding on to that anger, unwilling to forgive in order to set your soul free?

1. Before you begin, set your space. You may wish to cleanse the space by burning sage or palo santo. Light your favorite incense or candle. Bring your favorite crystals, a photo of yourself and those you wish to forgive, bring your favorite pen and a piece of paper or journal. Find a comfortable seat.

2. As you gaze at the photo you have of yourself, write a letter of forgiveness, a love letter to your healing soul. Reflect in detail on all the parts and pieces of yourself, the challenges you have faced and the lessons you've learned. Write a letter of love, understanding, compassion and forgiveness as though you are writing to your best friend. Then, make a conscious decision to believe those compassionate words you share as you read the letter outloud to yourself.

3. Once you have written and read this letter aloud to yourself, it’s time to let it go. To release the energetic hold that has kept you from forgiveness in the past and to step into your own freedom. Are you ready to be free? Take a moment, close your eyes and envision yourself living as though you are already experiencing the freedom you seek. 

4. Release your love letter to the universe in any way that feels right in your heart. (Suggestions: Tear the letter up into many small pieces and recycle it. Take the letter outside and (safely) burn it. Bring it to water, a river or the ocean, watch as the paper begins to disintegrate between your hands in the water) As you release your letter, repeat the mantra: “I forgive myself. I release myself from this burden. I am free.”

5. When you have forgiven yourself and wish to forgive the people, or circumstances you have felt challenged by, turn your attention to the other photos you have brought with you. (Or visualize with your mind’s eye.) As you gaze upon this image, reflect on the situation in need of forgiveness. Recognize that each of the players in your circumstance is on their own journey. They have their own demons to face and their own traumas to heal. It is not up to you to heal them, teach them or to punish them. You are only responsible for your own healing.

6. With a new sheet of paper, write a letter to each of these people, places or circumstances. Reflect on your memories, thoughts and emotions as they come up. Reflect on how you have felt, carrying this anger, resentment or pain. How does it feel physically, mentally and emotionally to bear this burden? How has holding on to this kept you back from living your fullest life? 

7. What was the lesson? As you write this letter, consider what you have learned from the experience. Whether you learned about yourself or the world around you, there is always a lesson. Sometimes it feels like it is buried deep within the pain, take your time.

8. Are you ready to forgive in the name of your own healing? Are you ready to feel freedom? You will not forget when you forgive. You simply allow the energetic hold this experience has had over you to release its grip making space for you to step into your full potential. How do you want to move forward? Write as you consider how you will live your life after forgiving this experience.

9. Read this letter out loud, either by yourself or to someone you love and trust. Hear your voice say these powerful words as you begin to heal. Take a moment, close your eyes and envision yourself living as though you are already experiencing the freedom you seek. 

10. Release this second letter to the universe in any way that feels right in your heart. As you release your letter, repeat the mantra: “I forgive you. I thank you for teaching me. I release myself from this burden. I am free.”

Forgiveness is a process. You may need to repeat this ceremony more than once. Each time you do, you will feel lighter, freer and make space for more joy in your heart.