Spring is now well underway and we are reminded this is the season of rejuvenation and re-birth. It is time to shed the drudgery of winter and releaseold patterns of beliefs and emotions that burden us like excess body weight. Doing so provides us with the opportunity to reinvent ourselves by creating healthier beliefs and emotions. Forgiveness is a very powerful way to accomplish this.

To be truly forgiving we need to understand what true forgiveness implies. Lets begin by clarifying what forgiveness is not and some misconceptions about it. Forgiveness does not judge the offender. It does not ask for retribution and; only forgive the offender after he has made it. Forgiveness is not the belief that we should share the guilt, sin and punishment of an offender. Forgiveness is not a belief that we must accept responsibility for another's actions by suffering the consequences of such actions, as would a martyr. Forgiveness does not ask that we deny our feelings about an offender and his actions. Forgiveness does not bargain. It does not seek gain in return.

True forgiveness is an act of unconditional love, which asks for nothing in return. Forgiveness ends separation, loss, grief, destruction madness and pain. It makes possible a still mind, a sense of worth, well being, safety and peace. Forgiveness is both an action of giving and receiving. Forgiveness requires trust that my neighbor and me are spiritually one as are the offender and the offended. It requires understanding that our perceptions are subjective and limited by their physical vision. I cannot perceive who my brother is beyond my senses' experience. Faith is required to see my neighbor as his true spiritual self.

Grievances and judgments result from our limited perceptions, beliefs and fear. True forgiveness requires that we be aware and mindful of our perceptions, beliefs and emotions in relation to the offense we experience and the judgments we make about it, the offender and ourselves. Where within us do we feel the offense? On what beliefs do we base feeling offended. Let us consider a common example to explore these questions further.

Most of us have had experiences of being cheated out of money. Many of them remain unresolved. Bring such an episode to mind and consider the loss and the thoughts and emotions associated with it. Feelings and thoughts of anger, panic, helplessness, vengeance, uncertainty, justice and others likely come to mind. Lets take a closer look at our reaction to the loss. Consider the questions below as a guide to help you with this task. Answer them with your hearts and minds fully open. I suggest you write out the answers and allow yourself time to consider the questions and responses.

You can do this exercise with another issue if you wish. Simply replace the word "money" with your own "issue word"

1. What does money mean to me?
2. What values do I associate with the beliefs I have about money?
3. Where did I learn my beliefs and values?
4. Have I ever gone against my own beliefs and values? What were my motives for doing so?
5. What were the material consequences of the loss? What emotions did I experience as a result?
6. What personal or identity losses did I experience? What emotions did I experience as a result of these losses?
7. What judgments did I make about being cheated?
8. What judgments did I make about the person who cheated me?
9. Which judgments, beliefs and emotions are preventing me from true forgiveness?

Such an analysis will likely disclose beliefs, perceptions, emotions and behaviors that we can identify as negative, that we experience in similar situations and which tend to have negative consequences. Can you consider forgiving you for them? If you do, consider forgiving the offender and yourself for any of the perceptions, beliefs, emotions and behaviors that you may think you have in common.

I would appreciate any feedback you can give me about this exercise after you do it.

I trust forgiveness and its blessings expand in your hearts in the days and months to come. As it does so will you loosen fear from your life, increase your sense of oneness with others, and increase love's abundance in you.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATON

When we are ill we require the knowledge, skills and guidance of a medical doctor. Sometimes, however, doctors are only as good as the tools they use. Individuals themselves, I believe, need to be the ultimate decision makers about their health. As consumers of medical services we require the most complete information about our medical condition and the procedures and medications prescribed for them.

I had the opportunity to work in a medical setting for about 25 years. During that time I was able to observe individuals with chronic mental, emotional and physical problems who were using medication for prolonged periods of time. I sensed heaviness in their energy fields, which was an indication their bodies were constricted severely and their emotional essence suppressed. Energetically their other medical problems seemed locked in. The energy of the medication they were taking dominated their energy fields. In addition there were visible signs of ill health beyond those associated with the diagnosed problem.

In recent years there have been a number of publicized instances of severe adverse reactions to prescription medications. These occurrences have been raising concerns about medications in general. This is underscored by Health Canada's recent media campaign asking consumers to report side effects of their medications. This suggests not enough is known about medications before being made available to the public. The following divergent websites are a few places you can start to look to learn more about problems with prescription medications.

www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/index-eng.php
www.wddty.com (registration is free)
www.drcarley.com

It is a safe assumption that chronic use of any medication will eventually take a toll on the body. For many people medications are believed to be a life sustaining necessity. In the absence of available alternatives, adverse effects will not be a consideration for them. Most prescription medications are not vital and patients can consider them more carefully before deciding to use them. After educating yourself about the known side effects some questions you can ask are; can I cope with the problem through a lifestyle change or a natural product? Am I looking for a quick fix and risking other problems? If you decide to use the medication be very vigilant about your body for any symptoms you may suspect are due to the medication. Discuss your concerns and alternatives with your doctor. Develop and rely on your intuition to help you decide more effectively about issues concerning your health.

Frank Vircillo MSW, RSW, CHt