Forgiveness Moves Us Forward!

You may be wondering, what does forgiveness have to do with business?  The truth is everything.  When we hold on to loss of any kind, distrust, animosity, anxiety and fear are sure to follow affecting our thoughts, health and overall relationships.  Reality tells us that anything that has to do with overcoming pain ain't gonna happen overnight, however if we make continual efforts daily to push through the pain, the rewards can be priceless.

What pain could you be holding on to from the past, and furthermore, how do you think it affects your daily life?  Chances are, you just cringed a little bit thinking about the wrongs that have been done; you may even feel that if we "forgive" it means that we are saying what happened was okay.  Instead, what forgiveness really means is that we love ourselves, and those around us enough to break away from the chains of our past by allowing happiness to flow from within.  I speak from intimate experience and would like to share with you how the most painful letter to write ended up being my saving grace.  

As you may know, my sister, Kristi Gwen O'Pry, has been missing since 1996... Eventually, her killer gave a full confession after being charge with another murder in 2007. Finally, after fifteen years of agony and uncertainty, Eric Mickelson was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to death in the summer of 2011.  One week before the trial, from somewhere deep within, I found the strength to forgive:

Dear Eric,                                                                                                             July 13, 2011

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my “Letter of Hope”.  You have had an astounding effect on my life, although we have never met.  My name is Amy O’Pry and I am the youngest sister of Kristi Gwen O’Pry.  Although there is still pain… I want you to know, I forgive you.  Kristi was loved… she was funny and sweet; she was a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend.  Eric, you and I both know the past cannot be changed… but, I believe, we do have the freedom to shape our future.

Never have I prayed for anything more in all my life than to locate Kristi.  Thank you for your confession, I appreciate you telling the truth.  I don’t know about you, but every day, I have this ache for closure… it just stays there, hovering over my life.  Eric, I am asking that we put aside what happened and all the anger, pain, sadness, loss and disappointment that comes with it… and look towards the future.

Thank you again for reading this… and for your confession.  My spirit now knows forgiveness.  I pray that you find forgiveness within yourself to help bring Kristi home.
 
No greater love is displayed than when what you thought was unforgivable is forgiven.

Amy O’Pry 

P.S.  Who do you need to forgive, and how can forgiveness move you forward?