Forgiveness is Releasing the Meaning We Give to Things

"Forgiveness is releasing the meaning we have made of things." — Jennifer Hadley

Our minds are always interpreting the world around us, trying to make sense of the events, people, and situations that swirl through this 3D earthly life. We might decide that someone doesn’t like us based on a frown or a curt word. But what we don’t know is that they might just be stressed, worried about bills, or juggling challenges we can’t even see.

We feel hurt. We feel angry. We think we’re the victims. But in truth, they may be the ones struggling even more than we are.

Photo by Wang Sheeran on Unsplash

Assume the Best, Let Go of the Rest

The key is to cut people some slack. Assume the best about everyone. Let minor affronts slide. With a little practice, forgiveness becomes almost automatic when we see the higher truth in others: they are just humans, doing their best, struggling and suffering, trying to get by.

Those of us who consciously practice forgiveness are walking the path of grace. Our own suffering is often far lighter than that of others. We can allow people to behave however they do, let them off the hook, and be sensitive to the challenges they face.

Take a moment to feel gratitude for your own awareness and understanding, for the path you’re on, and for the capacity you have to release judgment. Then let it go.

Want to go deeper into forgiveness?

• Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love.

• My book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness, offers heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Read it on Amazon →

• Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release. View the deck on Etsy → https://www.etsy.com/listing/4350470896/metta-prayer-forgiveness-affirmation

• Want to receive free weekly forgiveness coaching emails? Sign up and get insights, tools, and inspiration to deepen your practice of forgiveness. Sign up here →

• New: Explore the Forgive and Be Happy Etsy Shop for more inspiration and products: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ForgiveAndBeHappy

Let these tools light your path — because forgiveness sets you free.
— Sue Pipal

Let’s Get Meta Physical: Seeing Life as a Dream

What if everything you experience is just an illusion?

For thousands of years, advanced spiritual thinkers have described this life as a dream or illusion. Buddhists call it maya, Hindus speak of life as a temporary play of consciousness, and A Course in Miracles teaches that the world we see is not real—it’s a projection of the mind.

Nothing in this world exists in its own right; it’s all a dream. Think of life like a day at the movies. You show up, sit down, and become completely absorbed in the story on the screen. You forget everything else. You laugh, cry, and feel suspense, forgetting that this is just a movie.

Could it be that our larger life—the eternal part of us—is very much like the movie? We are here for a while, absorbed in the story, but the deeper truth is always present behind the scenes. The more we understand this, the more peace and freedom we experience.

How recognizing life as a dream helps with forgiveness

When we see life as a dream, the challenges, annoyances, and hurts we encounter take on a new perspective. People act from fear, ego, or confusion—like characters in a movie. Knowing that the deeper reality is love and unity allows us to forgive more easily and release our own judgments.

Life is a dream.  Photo by Robin Edqvist on Unsplash

A simple practice to remember the dream

Take a few moments each day to pause and say to yourself:
"This is a dream. I am more than what I see."
Notice how your perspective softens. You become less attached to outcomes, less reactive to minor irritations, and more aware of the timeless truth at your center.

Want to go deeper into forgiveness and seeing the truth beyond the dream?

• Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love.

• Read my book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness, for heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Find it on Amazon →

• Receive free weekly forgiveness coaching emails with insights and tools to help you practice forgiveness in everyday life. Sign up here →

• Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release.

Let these tools light your path—because forgiveness and awareness of our true self set you free.
— Sue Pipal

Jesus Said To Forgive... Because He Said So

 Why We Sometimes Resist Forgiveness

When you were younger, your mother told you to clean up your room. Maybe you didn’t really see the purpose in having a clean room. Maybe toys and clothes strung all over the floor suited you just fine. But... Mother said so. She told you to clean it up. Period. And if you questioned her, she might have even said, “Because I say so.”

Photo by Vije Vijendranath on Unsplash

Now, all these years later, you might just realize that she was right all along. Having a clean room actually makes life so much better. It’s easier to find things, it’s more peaceful, and it just feels better to be in a space that’s tidy. Mother knew best.

Just like Mother, Jesus always knows best. When He tells you to forgive, you do it. Not because you understand the full reason right away, but because Jesus said so.

Forgiveness may not always make sense in the moment. It may feel difficult or unfair, especially when someone has wronged you. But just like cleaning your room, forgiveness has a purpose. It clears the clutter from your heart, making space for peace, joy, and love to flow. It sets you free.

Jesus’ Command to Forgive

Jesus didn’t just suggest forgiveness; He commanded it. In the Gospels, He says, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). A Course in Miracles echoes this: “You who have sought release in many ways must now accept the one true means of release, which is forgiveness."— A Course in Miracles, T-9.VII.3:6

Forgiveness Makes Life Better

When Jesus tells us something is crucially important, we trust that He knows best. And just like a clean room, forgiveness ultimately makes our lives better. So, the next time forgiveness feels hard, remember: Jesus said to do it. And like Mother’s wisdom, it’s for your own good.

Want to go deeper into forgiveness?

• Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love.
• My book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness, offers heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Read it on Amazon →
• Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release. View the deck on Etsy → https://www.etsy.com/listing/4350470896/metta-prayer-forgiveness-affirmation
  
• Want to receive free weekly forgiveness coaching emails? Sign up and get insights, tools, and inspiration to deepen your practice of forgiveness. Sign up here →
  
• New: Explore the Forgive and Be Happy Etsy Shop for more inspiration and products: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ForgiveAndBeHappy                       

Let these tools light your path — because forgiveness sets you free.

— Sue Pipal

The Truth of Who You Are: Immense, Magnificent, Eternal

Photo by Aleksandr Ledogorov on Unsplash.com

Remembering Your Divine Magnificence and Eternal Nature

In a world filled with distractions, it’s easy to forget the truth of who we are. We are not limited by time, space, or circumstance. At our core, we are immense, magnificent, and eternal. These words are a reminder of the divine essence within you—a presence that transcends the physical and connects us to all that is. When you remember your true nature, you unlock the power to live in peace, love, and grace, knowing that you are always connected to the Source of all creation.

Let this truth guide you today: You are not just a person, you are a reflection of the divine, existing everywhere, always, and in perfect harmony with the universe. Embrace this truth and watch how it transforms your life.

Want to go deeper into forgiveness?

• Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love. Read it here →
• My book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness, offers heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Read it on Amazon →
• Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release. View the deck on Etsy →

Let these tools light your path — because forgiveness sets you free.

— Sue Pipal