Create some space...

We've all got to find a way to create some space in our lives to forgive ourselves. When we do, we find a way to love ourselves and others more profoundly.

The idea may sound quaint. The idea may sound foreign. But finding a way to create some space is important.

Give yourself some breathing room. When we don't, we pile on the negative one after the other.

Consider the case of Oregon City resident Becky Griggs. Horribly over weight at 350 pounds, Griggs reportedly could never find a way to celebrate her successes in her battle with weight. The tiny steps in the right direction were always over shadowed by the tiny steps in the wrong direction. She would focus on when she said yes to eating, instead of celebrating those times when she said no to food.

One day she gave herself some room to make mistakes. That gave her determination to get fit and lose weight room to grow in her life. She learned to celebrate even the tiny steps in the right direction. Now she is 200 pounds lighter, healthier, happier and serving as an inspiration to others. She is a finalist in the Prevention magazine/ABC News Now contest about health.

That is nothing short of amazing.

So is this interesting fact.

Google the phrase "forgive yourself" and the search engine will produce 264,000 hits. Each one is a different story, strategy, idea on how to forgive yourself and move forward. Each one also gives several reasons why it is important to learn how to forgive yourself.

That's more than a quarter million strategies for moving forward based on probably a million reasons why doing so is good for you -- all at your fingertips.

Oprah's website gives five quick steps to forgiving yourself. First, reopen your heart and mind. Second, choose to love yourself again. Third, understand the fear that is driving your feelings. Fourth, give yourself permission to let go of pain and love yourself. Finally, create a new, positive relationship with yourself. In other words think of and refer to yourself as kind, nice, loving, forgiving etc...

You now have one strategy down. There are 263,999 others still available to be explored. Find the one that is right for you.

Create some space...

and let love grow...

p.s. to find out more about Becky click here... http://www.westlinntidings.com/news/story.php?story_id=121139481805135700 ; Oprah's website can be found here... http://www.oprah.com/spiritself/lybl/well/ss_lybl_well_forgive01_g.jhtml