I've been forgiving myself a lot lately.  I believe that forgiveness is a cornerstone to healing.  In equal parts to love and acceptance, forgiveness opens a doorway inside of us that may have previously been blocked by regret, guilt, shame, blame, justification, or even vengeance.  Forgiveness allows us to take responsibility for our own feelings and have new perspectives about the stories of our lives.  The interesting thing about forgiveness is that often we do not know how deeply the layers of revelation are buried inside of us.  

Recently in my forgiveness work, I found myself letting go of some guilt I felt for enjoying certain pleasures in my life that I had judged as being decadent.  As the guilt faded, I was left with a feeling of gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I've been given in my life.  Gratitude filled the spaces where previously guilt had been.  What a change.  What a difference.  I found it invigorating to experience this shift in perspective.  

Daily, I am tapping into feelings and thoughts that no longer are serving my optimal best.  And, with each thought or belief that doesn't lift me up, I forgive myself and make an adjustment in my thinking.  Then, if the thought comes up that I should have done this sooner, I forgive myself for that.  How much deeper can this exercise in forgiveness go?  I'm willing to find out.