It is often difficult to slow down and reflect when you are emotionally wound up.  Feelings can be so powerful that they can actually block you from considering forgiveness.  This can make the work of forgiveness doubly difficult.  If you find yourself upset and having a hard time forgiving, I would suggest you learn to chill.

So how do you slow down and relax so you can do reflective thinking?  The most common way to relax the mind and body is through deep breathing.  Controlled breathing has been used as a pathway to the spiritual self for centuries.  It is interesting to note that in most major languages, the word for breath is the same as the word for spirit.  For example, in the following ancient languages, the same word is used for both breath and spirit:

             Ruach              Hebrew

            Pneuma           Greek

            Spiritus            Latin

We often give up current contentment because we are either reliving past turmoil or, we are worrying about what the future holds.  The only place and time in which one can discover contentment and peace is in the present.  Learn to be in the present; after all, you only live in the here and now.  Slowing down and taking deep breaths will help you to get in the present.

By Dick Tibbits, PhD

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