Forgiveness

To err is human; to forgive, divine
(Alexander Pope)

What I have learnt forgiveness to mean for me.
Forgiveness is not about forgetting, it is not about condoning what has happened and it is not necessarily reconciling with the person who has hurt you.  Reconciliation is always a choice.  Your choice.

Forgiveness is letting go of the need to hang onto anger, resentment and hatred and the need to make the other person change or apologize.  Forgiveness is what you do for yourself.

It is letting go of the need to retaliate and hurt them back.
It is letting go of the need to justify why you shouldn't have to forgive them.
It is just letting go.

However, forgiveness does not mean that you have to be a doormat for anyone and sometimes you need to set boundaries to protect yourself from any further hurt.

Carrying resentments is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die!.  When I read this saying I realised that it was time to let go.  Who wants to keep on taking poison for the rest of their life.  When you can actually send them blessings then you know you have forgiven them.  This step is very hard and may take a long time.  It definitely is a process but in the end you need to let it go because all this toxic energy can affect your health.  Hanging on to resentments can also make us bitter and not much fun to be with.

Steps for letting go:

• Acknowledge that you need to forgive
• Be willing to forgive
• Say a positive affirmation - I release the past and forgive everyone. I go free to be loving, harmonious and happy. 
• Ask for Divine Help - Call on the Angels (Archangel Michael to help cut cords to negative relationships)
• Practise meditation to release negative feelings
• Journal thoughts and feelings
• Participate in a 'Burning Bowl Ceremony' which is where you write down your feelings or write a letter to the person and then burn it.
• Have a reiki or hands on healing session
• Take Bach Flower Remedies
• Set boundaries - Take your power back and don't allow others to control you.  Sometimes our own lack of self worth allows others to take our power.   Sometimes we are people pleasers and find it hard to say no.  We would rather do what others think we should do rather than hear their disapproval.
• Stop talking about it to everyone you meet, although it is good to talk it over with a trusted friend to help you understand and clarify your feelings.
• Then quit talking about it and rehashing time and time again.
• Send them blessings or say a prayer for their well being.  This usually does not happen immediately.  Only after grasping the concept of forgiveness and then working through the different stages do  we come to this final step.  It also depends on the length of time the hurt went on and depends on the degree of hurt.
• Then set yourself free to be loving, harmonious and happy.
• Let it go for your own sake.  You deserve it.  Do it for your own self worth.
• If all else fails seek the help of a professional counselor although I did  this myself it was not until I fully understood what forgiveness means that I felt I had the power to actually forgive.  My counselor told me that "Forgiving is not forgetting, it is remembering and letting it go."  But she didn't really tell me how to do it.  Hence all the research I have been doing.

Forgiving is actually a very powerful thing to do, it is not the easy option at all.  Hanging onto the hurt means we don't have to do the work of forgiveness but in the end we need to do it for our own health.  We waste so much of our precious energy going over and over the past.  Take the love and lessons from the past but let the past go.

Challenging people and situations are sent to you as your most important teachers.  Without them your soul would not grow.  And that is exactly what these challenges are, I believe, lessons for our soul.  Learning how to forgive is one huge lesson to learn.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with intent of throwing it at someone else:  you are the one getting burned. - Buddha

Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do. - Jesus

Shanti  (Wishing you Peace)

Prayer

Prayer is chanelling Divine Grace.   Caroline Myss teaches that grace  is the breath of God, an invisible essence beyond intellect that moves swiftly amongst us.  When we pray, we invoke this beautiful divine grace.



Why then, do our prayers go unanswered????

Answered prayer does not always mean that we get what we want.  I do believe that sometimes God says no to our prayers because He knows what is best for each person. It is beyond our human understanding to know what is best as  we can't see the big picture.  In saying that I do believe that  we receive what we need for our soul growth and life lessons that  we have come to earth to learn  and sometimes it is for our loved ones highest good  that our prayers seem to go unanswered.  While this can be extremely hard to accept, believing this does help  to let go of some of the anger that we can sometimes feel towards God.  I prayed with such intensity for Zoe's healing that when the doctor's told me that she wasn't going to make it, I didn't believe them.  I always thought that she would be healed physically.  I had enormous trust and faith in God that He would heal my daughter as I could not bear to think of the alternative. Lea was so supportive during this time and actually gave me a tiny mustard seed as a sign of our faith that we both had for Zoe's healing.   At first I felt extremely betrayed by God and the Angels, but  on my quest for answers I have learnt that healing has many levels and  healing can sometimes  be on an emotional or spiritual level and maybe this was the case with Zoe.  Acceptance is never easy and my heart still aches with the pain of separation.  What helps me is that I believe that her earthly work was done and it was time for her to go on to do her heavenly work.  I still pray because I believe that God does hear our prayers, but now my prayers are for  my loved ones highest good believing that there is a Grand Design or plan that is far beyond our human understanding and I trust that all is being taken care of.  I ask, believe, say thank you and let it go asking for a sign that all is well.

A Prayer of Trust and Gratitude

"Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in the lives of those I love, it is for their highest good. From all things you put before us, we shall become stronger and more loving people. I am grateful for all the beauty and opportunity you put into my life. And in all that I do, I shall seek to be a channel for your love." Amen
Susan Jeffers

A Prayer for Healing

That is carried from God by Michael, Thy Archangel

Pour out, Thy Healing Angels,
Thy Heavenly Host upon me,
And upon those that I love,
Let me feel the beam of Thy
Healing Angels upon me,
The light of Your Healing Hands.
I will let Thy Healing begin,
Whatever way God grants it,
Amen.’
Lorna Byrne

Catholic Prayer

'In the name of Jesus, I pray that you release your healing love into .......................'s body or  situation.
I thankyou and I praise you.'

I also have a Healing Journal containing photos of loved ones, Holy pictures and prayers. I send distance prayers and healing energy to my loved ones, whilst surrounding them with rainbows.

Love Peace and Joy

Willow Tree Angels

I have a huge collection of the Willow Tree angels and I particularly love these three figurines that represent Love Peace and Joy.
May the blessings of peace, love, and joy be a presence in your life.


'Willow Tree hand-carved sculptures speak in quiet ways to heal, comfort, protect and inspire. Susan Lordi identifies emotions so important for us to convey, and renders them in simple, pure gestures. About Willow Tree, Susan says, "I try to keep the interpretation of Willow Tree open. I hope this makes it more personal, and allows the viewer to decide its meaning." A gift of Willow Tree communicates beyond words.'

Petrea King

1 December 2011


Aileen Wait
ailwait@hotmail.com

Dear Aileen,

Greetings! Thank you so much for your lovely letter and for sending me a copy of your book Beyond Words. Please accept my apologies for such a lengthy delay in responding. We have had a very busy time at Quest and have been all over the country with our workshops and lectures.

Beyond Words is a beautiful book that is certain to assist others with their own healing journey. I have enjoyed dipping into it and am sure our participants will too. I have added it to our library at the Centre so it is available for all participants to read during their stay with us. I was also delighted to read that you have also had a connection with rainbows and that they provided comfort during your journey with grief. Our Rainbow Ritual has proven to be a wonderful blessing for many of our participants.

I wish you well with your healing journey and much success with your book.

Warm regards,

 
 
Petrea King
Founding Director and CEO





Quest for Life Foundation

PO Box 390 Bundanoon NSW 2578
T: 02 4883 6599

Web: www.questforlife.com.au
Facilitator’s blog: www.qflf.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/petreaking

ABN 79 003 747 153, CFN 10576

Signs

Ask for a sign.  Our loved ones can be very inventive in the ways they can communicate with us.  It is just a matter of noticing and being aware.  We need to go with our gut feeling regarding signs.  I like the saying, "If it is odd, then it's from God!"  It's all in Divine timing.

Number plates are just one of the ways our loved ones can communicate with us from Heaven.

Fred trucks are one of the ways my Dad lets me know he is around.

Amazing

Amazing - Alex Lloyd from the Album Watching Angels Mend

When all you want to do is rock

But you don't want to bear the shock no more
When it's just swell that fills your eyes
Belated feelings that you have denied
When every wolf is at your door
Just like a hundred times before
But you don't want to leave the end
You were amazing
And we did amazing things
And I wouldn't change it
'cause we were amazing things
Rebuilding bridges in your mind
Your eagerness now is on the line
The plastic mountain at your feet
Divided streets now as you look to find a seat
When every wolf is at your door
Just like a hundred times before
But you don't want to see the end
You were amazing
And we did amazing things
And i wouldn't change it
'cause we were amazing things
And i really didn't want that push today
No i really didn't want to end this way
But the things that seem to bind us
Are the things we put behind us on this day
You were amazing
And we did amazing things
And i wouldn't change it
'cause we were amazing things

(This song was one of Zoe's favourite songs and we played it at her funeral.  I heard this song played on the radio the day my Dad passed away.  We also played it at his funeral as he loved it so much.  I often hear this song at timely moments when Zoe lets me know she is around.)

I can see clearly now

Rainbow 6th July, 2007 at Natya

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin?for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Look all around, there’s nothin?but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin?but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)

Sun-Shiny day.

(As the dark clouds of grief began to slowly shift, this song popped into my head one day.  This photo of the rainbow appeared over our house at Natya after a visit from a dear friend.  This friend had given Zoe a card with a rainbow of hope on it when she  first became ill. I really feel this rainbow was a sign from Zoe.)

Calling all Angels

Calling all Angels - Train

I need a sign to let me know you’re here
All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere
I need to know that things are gonna look up
Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup
When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head
When you can feel the world shake from the words that I said
And I’m calling all angels
And I’m calling all you angels
And I won’t give up if you don’t give up
I won’t give up if you don’t give up
I won’t give up if you don’t give up
I won’t give up if you don’t give up
I need a sign to let me know you’re here
Cause my tv set just keeps it all from being clear
I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me
And I’m calling all angels
And I’m calling all you angels
When children have to play inside so they don’t disappear
While private eyes solve marriage lies cause we don't talk for years
And football teams are kissing queens and losing sight of having dreams
In a world where all we want is only what we want untill it’s ours
And I’m calling all angels
And I’m calling all you angels
And I’m calling all angels
(I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
And I’m calling all you angels
(I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
Calling all you angels
(I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
Calling all you angels
(I won’t give up if you don’t give up)
Calling all you angels

(This song was playing on the radio around the time that I discovered Angels and also during Zoe's illness.  I remember one stressful day driving back to Melbourne and this song coming on the radio.  It did actually help to calm me down as I felt it was the angels telling me we were safe and they were guiding us on our trip.)

Believe

Believe - Diamond Rio

Every now and then

Soft as breath upon my skin
I feel you, come back again
And it's like, you haven't been
Gone a moment from my side
Like the tears were never cried
Like the hands of time
Were pulling you, and me
And with all my heart, I'm sure
We're closer than we ever were
I don't have to hear or see
I've got all the proof I need
There are more than angels watching
Over me.. I believe.. ohh, I believe.
Now when you die, your life goes on
It doesn't end here, when you're gone
Every soul is filled with light
It never ends, if I'm right
Our love can even reach, across-
Eternity.. I believe.. ohh, I believe.
Forever, you're a part of me
Forever, in the heart of me
I will hold you even longer
If I can..
Oh, the ppl who don't see the most
See that I, believe in ghosts
If that makes me crazy, then I am
Cuz I believe.. ohh, I believe..
There are more than angels watching
Over me.. I believe.. ohh, I believe.
Every now and then
Soft as breath upon my skin
I feel you, come back again..
And I believe..

(This song came to me from a google search.  The divine timing of it was like a message, after I had done all my research into life after death, that it was actually time to BELIEVE.......................)

Divine Timing