I’ve thought a lot about forgiveness since becoming a mother. Probably because I’ve always been the type to hold onto anger and grudges or re-live and replay things that made me mad or that hurt me. (Because how fun is that, am I right?!)

I’m not sure why I’ve held onto anger. I think I’ve always been in the mindset of “if you’ve wronged me, then the way I show that I’m strong and I’m standing up for myself is if I shun you or cut you out of my life”. But I’m now learning that that mindset doesn’t serve me in a healthy way.

I’ve been making a conscious effort to try to feel and deal. To feel the anger or the pain or the sadness—instead of pushing it down—and then work toward letting go. To choose peace.✌️

Part of this has been teaching my children to say sorry when they’re in the wrong. And an even bigger part of this is apologizing to them when I’ve been in the wrong myself. When I’ve lost my patience, when I’ve snapped, when I’ve failed.

What I’ve been noticing is that—looking someone in the eye and saying “I’m sorry for the way I acted” is a humbling experience. It grounds you. It helps you grow. It keeps us connected.

Oftentimes they look at me and say, “Mom, it’s okay!” and move on. It’s so easy for them to choose forgiveness and peace because children are full of such joy and such love, there’s no room for holding onto anger. Choosing joy and love sounds about right to me. ❤️

What other words come to mind when you think of the word “forgiveness”?