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Letting Go of the Past & Moving Forward | 3 Steps to Freedom

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By: Mary Morrissey
Updated: April 27, 2016

Learn Simple Ways To Release Emotional Pain And Cultivate Joy

Have you ever felt weighed down by your past?

As if no matter what you do, you can’t seem to shake the hurt, pain or the negative thoughts from experiences long over?

Happiness, joy and fulfillment feel long gone, and you honestly forget the last time you felt that way. 

But regardless of how long you’ve been feeling this way, you can start creating change in your life.

If your past is holding you back from creating a life you truly love…

Remember that you have the power to design a life you love and turn your dreams into reality!

Keep reading to learn how to release emotional pain and live your life to the fullest. 

The Secret To Breaking Free From Your Past 

Letting go of the past and moving forward can feel challenging – especially when we feel this experience has shaped us, or become an important part of our personal story in any way.

But you don’t have to keep suffering from something that happened years, or decades ago.

You CAN break free from the grip of your past.

Here is where the secret lies…

Releasing the hurt, sadness or grief that you’re holding onto about things that have happened to you. Otherwise, this pain can grow into resentment, or a belief that you don’t deserve a life any better than what you’ve experienced up until now.

This is why I want to show you how to release the past. Because when you can shake off the past, you free yourself to truly live in the present and create an inspiring future.

In a moment I’m going to teach you the three steps you can take right now to release the resentment, guilt, or shame associated with the past. They will empower you to keep moving forward to your dreams powerfully.

But before we explore these steps together, let’s start by taking a breath and realizing that you are not alone in your pain. 

As a minister and international trainer for a combined 40 years, I’ve heard countless stories about trauma, abuse, and other difficulties that can happen in life.

The truth is, every single one of us has suffered. 

And for many of us, this kind of pain can be very difficult to release. 

However, there’s an important distinction between the situation you went through and the pain you’re feeling.

So know that no matter what has happened in the past, you can find a way to release the suffering. 

You will never be able to take away what happened – but you can take away its hold on you. 

Now that we clarified that, let’s dive into how to let go of the past and be happy…

How To Let Go Of The Past

STEP #1: Acceptance

The first step in letting go of the past is acceptance. 

Acceptance doesn’t mean condoning or justifying what happened; it simply means acknowledging that it did happen and choosing to move forward despite it. 

No amount of dwelling on the past can change what has already occurred… 

No matter how many times you may have imaginary arguments in your head, or how many times you blame yourself for not seeing it sooner or stopping it more quickly, none of this will ever change what happened.

What happened, happened. There’s no turning back the clock and there’s no changing it. Once you accept the past for what it is, you can begin to move forward.

To practice acceptance, start by taking a deep breath and acknowledging the reality of your past experiences.

Say to yourself, “It happened.” This simple act of acceptance diminishes the power that the past holds over you. The more you practice acceptance, the less control the past will have over your present.

Here are a few practical strategies to help you cultivate acceptance:

  • Mindfulness Meditation: Set aside time each day to practice mindfulness meditation. Focus on the present moment and observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This practice can help you develop a greater sense of acceptance towards your past experiences.
  • Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings about the past. Allow yourself to express any anger, sadness, or resentment you may be holding onto. By acknowledging and expressing your emotions, you can begin to release their hold over you.
  • Seek Support: Consider reaching out to a mental health professional or trusted friend or family member. Talking to someone about your experiences can provide you with valuable perspective and support as you work through them.

STEP #2: Forgiveness

If you want to move forward and live a happy life, the next step is to start practicing forgiveness.

If forgiveness feels difficult, then I invite you to re-define what it means for you. 

You see, many people misunderstand forgiveness. They think forgiveness has to do with letting someone off the hook – as though you’re saying, “It’s okay that you hurt me.”  

But forgiveness isn’t about letting them off the hook… it’s about releasing yourself from the burden of resentment and pain.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean you want to see that person again, or that you want to rebuild a relationship with them, for example. It simply means you release the hurt and anger about what happened.

Buddha said that holding onto resentment is like picking up a hot coal that you mean to throw at somebody else. In holding the coal, you suffer the worst burn. And so, as long as you hold onto resentment over past hurts, you’re actually harming yourself much more than anyone else.

A thriving, loving, fulfilling life can’t be created from a frequency of resentment, self-loathing or rejection of others.

So even if it feels challenging, I encourage you to take this step to heart. The inner peace you’ll unlock from it is certainly worth it!

If you’re wondering how to start practicing forgiveness, here are a few suggestions:

  • Compassion: Cultivate compassion towards yourself and others. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes and has their own struggles. By viewing the person who hurt you with compassion, you can begin to release the grip of resentment.
  • Letting Go Ritual: Create a ritual to symbolize your intention to let go of the past. This could involve writing a letter to the person who hurt you (even if you never send it), burning it as a symbol of release, or lighting up a candle that will take away negative experiences. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Feel free to go with the nudges of your intuition, and create a ritual that is meaningful to you.
  • Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to reinforce your intention to forgive and let go. Repeat phrases such as “I release all resentment and anger from my heart” or “I forgive myself and others for past mistakes.” Affirmations can help rewire your subconscious mind and foster forgiveness.

STEP #3: Gratitude

The final step in letting go of the past is gratitude. 

Gratitude is a powerful tool for shifting your mindset from lack to abundance. By focusing on the lessons learned and the growth that has come from past experiences, you can cultivate a sense of appreciation for even the most challenging moments.

To practice gratitude, reflect on the lessons that your past experiences have taught you. 

Remember: We all learned to walk by falling down first.

Life gives us the opportunity to learn through making mistakes – sometimes we get it right, and sometimes we get it wrong. This applies to every area of our life, including our hurt, pain and difficulty.

What strengths have you developed as a result of overcoming adversity? What new insights have you gained about yourself and others? 

By acknowledging the positive aspects of your past, you can shift your focus away from blame and resentment.

And once you open yourself to feeling gratitude, even for the painful moments in your past, you free yourself up to pursue your dreams and create a life you love.

Here you have 3 simple ways to tap into the energy of gratitude:

  • Gratitude Journal: Make a daily practice of writing down three things you’re grateful for. This could be anything from a beautiful sunrise to a kind gesture from a friend. This is a simple, yet powerful way to train your mind to focus on the positive.
  • Acts of Kindness: Practice random acts of kindness towards yourself and others. These gestures, however small, create a ripple effect of positivity and gratitude. Whether it’s offering a listening ear to a friend in need or treating yourself to a day of self-care, kindness will open your heart to the frequency of gratitude.
  • Visualization: Close your eyes and visualize your ideal future. Imagine yourself living a life filled with love, joy, and abundance. Feel the emotions of gratitude wash over you as you envision yourself surrounded by the people and experiences that bring you happiness.

These are the 3 foundational steps to live in the present and release the negative thoughts that keep you stuck in the past: acceptance, forgiveness, and gratitude.

But if you want to speed up the healing process, and ensure that you feel good in the long run, I have one last tip to share with you…

The Fastest Path To Inner Peace And Personal Growth

Of course, I know these three steps can be easier said than done.

Sometimes, you feel that you’ve made progress in forgiving yourself for that painful experience you went through… 

Only to get caught in a loop of negative emotions all over again.

That’s why I’m such an advocate for immersive experiences that empower you with the tools to liberate yourself from the shackles of the past. They take you away from your normal routine, allowing you to interrupt your regular thinking patterns with greater ease.

This kind of situation creates a safe container for you to process and release your hurt – making room for a brand-new future!

Plus, there’s nothing like spending time surrounded by a community of like-minded people that support your vision, and cheer you on!

These are the secret ingredients that will help you get to inner peace, and your dream life faster and easier than you could on your own… 

And not only connect with the future you want, but make it a reality.

So if you’d love to let go of the past and move forward into a bright new future, I have an invitation for you:

Join our next DreamBuilder LIVE Experience!

Whether you choose to participate in our in-person event or the virtual version, you’ll release what no longer serves you, integrate the lessons from your past, and get ready to manifest a life you love.

These are our flagship events, and for good reason!

You’ll walk away with the practical tools and strategies to craft a vision of your dream, and an actionable step-by-step plan to make it happen.

Are you ready to break free from negative emotions, and transform your life?

Join our next DreamBuilder LIVE Experience right here

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About Mary Morrissey

Mary Morrissey

Mary Morrissey is widely considered the world’s foremost expert on “dream-building,” having invested the last 40 years into studying the art and science of transforming dreams into results. Mary has also written two best-selling books, addressed the United Nations three times, co-convened three week-long meetings with His Holiness The Dalai Lama, and met with President Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Through her books, live events and programs, Mary has helped empower millions of people worldwide to achieve new heights of meaning, purpose, aliveness and authentic success.

Learn More About Mary Morrissey

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