Here is a very powerful exercise that can be done at any time throughout the year. As a matter of fact, it should be most effectively done once a year at the same time of the year.
The exercise will take about 45 minutes. Bring a pad and a pen, find a place where you can be alone and undisturbed for that amount of time.
Begin with the Forgiveness portion of the exercise:
Step 1. Mentally turn your car around and drive back over the past year. Write down anything that occurred that you believe you need to forgive yourself for; anything that you wanted to get yourself to do and didn't, anything that you had some part in that didn't go as you had planned, any activities that you could have controlled and didn't. (For example; the diet you wanted to start and didn't, or started and didn't follow through on, the project you promised yourself you would complete, the course you wanted to take and didn't, etc.) Write these things down without prioritizing them or in any particular order.
Step 2. On each and every item on your list give yourself dispensation and forgive yourself. Realize that the year is over and there is not a thing you can do about it, other than choose to learn the lesson you were offered from the situation, and move on. The secret is to stop any of the residual negative energy from following you into the next year or next timeframe.
Step 3. While remembering that "Everything happens for a reason, if for no other reason than to learn lessons" look at each of these entries and ask yourself: What lesson was I offered through this situation? Did I learn the lesson? If not, What do I have to do to learn the lesson?
Part II The Acknowledgement portion
Step 1. Look back over the year and write down everything you would like to acknowledge yourself for. Everything you got yourself to begin, follow through on, complete. Everything you had a part in, that went the way you wanted it to. (The workout program you started, the marketing campaign you launched and followed up on throughout the year, the savings program you committed to and completed each week)
Once again, just write each item down without judging it or prioritizing it.
Step 2. Go back over each item and allow the acknowledgement to sink in. Really allow yourself to reach your arm around and pat yourself on the back for a job well done on each item.
Ironically, this acknowledgement part of the exercise is more difficult for the average person. We rarely stop our crazy lives and allow any acknowledgement to sink in. Yet, it is crucial to your self-esteem and self worth to acknowledge yourself for a job well done.
Once again, this exercise may not be easy to do, however I promise it will be extremely worthwhile and valuable.
-Author Unknown
