The other night I was having a tough time getting to sleep.

Random memories of dissatisfying encounters, financial missteps, and disappointments were filling my mind, and I noticed the pattern.

Of course, I knew that if those negatives persisted, I wasn’t going to get any rest.

So, I resolved to relax, but the typical visualizations of lazy streams and beaches filled with gemstones and azure skies with billowing clouds weren’t doing the trick.

Out of my unconscious came a phrase, a declaration, and I’ll share it with you:

“I forgive myself for all of my transgressions, real and imagined.”

Immediately, I connected with this idea.

Yes, I thought, I’ve experienced disappointments. Occasionally, I’ve let other people down and they’ve let me down, but it’s time to let go of all of that.

The only way to do it is to fully forgive oneself.

Absolve yourself now of any guilt you may be lugging around.

The phrase, “real and imagined” sweeps every misgiving into the heap that I’m relinquishing through this phrase.

It signifies that I might not even be aware of the things that are bothering me. I could be, and probably am blaming myself for actions and omissions that shouldn’t be my burdens to bear.

Well, I repeated the phrase about twenty-five times, I guess, and I drifted off into a very deep and satisfying sleep.

In the morning, I remembered the line, repeated it again, and it set the tone for a very upbeat day.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman
www.customersatisfaction.com