February 10, 2025
Hello Followers,
Welcome a new week!
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does change the future.
Let us get started this Monday making amends and apologizing to ourselves and others.
Making amends is an important part of forgiveness, even when the person you are forgiving is yourself.
Just as you might not forgive someone else until they have made it up to you in some way,
forgiving yourself is more likely to stick when you feel like you have earned it.
One way to move past your guilt is to take action to correct your mistakes.
Apologize if it is called for and look for ways that you can make it up to whomever you have hurt.
It may seem as if this portion of the process benefits only the person you have harmed, but there is something in it for you as well.
Fixing your mistake means you will never have to wonder if you could have done more.
Forgiveness, and whether you grant it, has the power to affect your mental well-being.
Yet, many people have difficulty forgiving the person they are never without; themselves.
Self-forgiveness can affect your well-being for the better or worse, depending on how easily you grant it.
An older 2001 study found that not forgiving yourself or others may put you at higher risk of depression.
Holding on to negative emotions about yourself lowers your overall self-esteem and opens the door to anxiety and depression.
Why do we have a hard time with self-forgiveness?
It can be hard to forgive ourselves because it requires looking at mistakes and facing uncomfortable feelings like guilt and regret.
Another study found that tolerance of negative feelings and confrontation with one’s behavior is part of the self-forgiveness process.
A journey of self-forgiveness lets you step into the future without the past holding you back.
The forgiving state of mind is a magnetic power for attracting good.
Tuesday Dan and I will blog more on self-forgiveness.
One key component is learning from the experience of regret.
Sweet Cinnamon Banana Chips
Enjoy these crispy, sweet banana chips with a touch of cinnamon for a quick and healthy snack.
They are simple to make and irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients:
~ 2 firm, ripe bananas (peeled and sliced thinly into rounds)
~ 1 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
~ 1 tbsp white sugar (or use coconut sugar for a healthier choice)
~ ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Slice the Bananas:
• Peel and slice the bananas into thin rounds, about ⅛ inch thick, ensuring even cuts for uniform cooking.
2. Prepare the Coating:
• Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
• Lightly coat the banana slices with melted butter or coconut oil, then sprinkle them evenly with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
3. Preheat the oven:
• Set to 350°F and preheat it for 3-5 minutes.
4. Cook the Banana Chips:
• Arrange the banana slices in a single layer in a pan, avoiding overlapping.
Cook in batches if needed.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chips are golden and crispy.
Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes to prevent burning.
5. Cool and Enjoy:
• Move the cooked banana chips to a rack to cool completely.
They will crisp up as they cool.
Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container for up to two days.
Extra Tip:
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt before cooking for a savory-sweet twist!
Prepping Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch | Total Time: 15-20 minutes
A 10-minute guided meditation designed to help you release the emotional and mental baggage holding you back from living your fullest life.
By gently guiding you to let go of past hurts, fears, and limiting beliefs, this meditation creates space for genuine transformation and self-growth.
If you are seeking a fresh start or a deeper sense of peace, this meditation is the perfect step forward.
Until Tuesday, just as white light consists of colored rays, so reverence for life contains all the components of ethics: love, kindness, sympathy, empathy, peacefulness, and power to forgive.
