You are never too old to forgive yourself

I like to go swimming at the pool in my apartment complex.  The main purpose of this activity is to exercise and feel good.

However, while going about our daily routine, sometimes something magical happens when we least expect it.

I talked with a 71 year old woman at the pool today.  We'd spoken briefly before over the last few months.  Lately though we'd shared much about life and health.

Today she told me the story of her 46 year marriage to her husband.  It was a heartwarming tale of commitment, courage and tenacity.

She said the most important thing she'd learnt in life was forgiveness.  And in particular, forgiving yourself.

This had come to the fore recently for her as she remembered an old flame.  This guy was her first love, before she met her current husband.

She'd hurt him over 50 years ago and felt the time was right to tell him she was sorry.  She obviously still loved this man and understood how, rightly or wrongly, she'd passed him by.

He was married himself now.  This didn't stop her emailing him and telling him she was sorry.  Sorry for the way she'd treated him all those years ago.   This was also about forgiving herself and letting go of 50 years of regret.

He replied by forgiving her and paying her the biggest compliment he could.  In reference to the movie starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore, he told her she was the only 10 he'd ever met.

Two folks, older now, but still bonded by forgiveness, respect, and most of all...love.

She finished our conversation by saying these words to me: "I never thought I'd tell anybody about this story, and you were the first to ever hear it.  I'd like to thank you for listening to me and letting me say it".

It was a pleasure.  A pleasure to simply give somebody some space they'd needed to express 50 years of forgiveness. It truly made her, and definitely my, day.

Today, I'd like us all to remember this:

Take some time to think about what you can forgive and move on from.  Then forgive somebody you need to, however long it's been waiting.

Best of luck!

 
Matt.
Seeds Coaching
Vancouver, BC.


Matt Turner is a life coach of creative, professional women in Vancouver, BC.  He is trained by The Coaches Training Institute and is an experience relationship counsellor.   He specialises working with women in career transition, relationship support for women and helps women run their own business.

Life coaching, career coaching or relationship coaching can happen effectively face to face, or over the phone. And technology allows coaching to happen over Skype at zero cost!

Make that call today!  Contact Matt for a free, no obligation coaching session and see how you can change your job, change your career and change your life!