February, the second month of the Gregorian calendar, was named after Februalia, the Roman festival of purification. It is also the month of Valentine’s Day. One of the secular meanings of purification is the act of making something free of guilt or evil. Looking at it through the lens of spirituality means freeing the soul or spirit from negative behavior such as hatred or selfishness. Everyone knows that Valentine’s Day represents romance and love. You’re probably scratching your head and wondering where he is going with this. Lol, hopefully, it will be evident by the time you finish reading this.
I believe Jesus was sent to show us how to love one another unconditionally. Let me repeat that: to love one another unconditionally. There is an exciting statement in A Course In Miracles; “Every act is either an expression of love or a call for love, regardless of how unskillful it may seem.
Looking back over your life, how many times can you remember when someone did or said something hurtful to you? Did you look at it as an act of love or a cry for love? Or did you get angry or resentful? How long did you harbor that anger or resentment? Maybe you still get angry or upset if reminded about it. That anger or resentment is a block to you being able to love unconditionally. Perhaps you don’t think what was done or said to you is worthy of forgiveness, so you’re holding that person in jail in your mind. If you play the role of the jailer, you will never experience total freedom, fullness, and joy.
Right here is where the purification comes in. To free yourself to love unconditionally, you must be free of the negativity (evil) associated with the person or persons you hold in jail. There is only one way to do that: forgive them! What?! Forgive that so and so; I’d rather die!! Well, if you harbor those ill thoughts over a long enough period, a portion of your life force will die, and you may even get sick physically. Why would anyone want to do that?
I’m not saying that you make what happened or what was said okay. I’m not saying you must hang out with those who did the deed or uttered the words. I am saying that you should try to understand better that sometimes good people do or say dumb things as a way to ask for love and that you should show compassion for them.
Returning to A Course In Miracles, we find this concept…” forgiveness is a shift in perception that removes a block in me, to my awareness of love’s presence.” You can also apply the act of forgiveness to yourself. We all make mistakes or missteps. Accepting that fact and taking the step of self-forgiveness frees us up to live joyfully and unconditionally share our love for one another.
Do some reflection. If you are holding on to anger or resentment towards someone for what someone did or said, including yourself, start purifying your spirit by beginning the process of forgiveness. I believe you’ll be happier, and so will the people around you.
If you want to discuss this or any of my other blogs, schedule a session through my website, www.transformationalwellnessservices.com, under the Contact button.