Maybe we don’t know what gratitude really means … how to write thank you notes to the people we like the least

I’ve been thinking about thank you notes :)

HomemadeCappuccinoMy new perspective on life was “tested” today, if you believe in such things … A woman I’ve known over the internet for some time felt triggered by something I did. It was interesting because right before I did the “offending” action, I had a slight moment of hesitation and checked in with my Guidance … and it said “yes” so I went forward …

A few hours later, I received a very angry message about it with quite a few judgments and accusations and a whole lot of interpretations. She went on what I would call in myself a “shame binge,” attempting to “correct” the problem but really probably in a way that would not work. In the past, receiving this email would have been very triggering for me.

Today I had a different response. I immediately saw myself in this woman. I saw all the times – which I’d like to believe are WAY in the past – but some of which if I’m honest happened to some degree even last week … when I lashed out at someone who clearly had done nothing to deserve my rage … because I was in pain. I saw all the times I went on “shame binges” and deleted blog articles or comments I’d written because I was torn up inside. And I felt … compassion.

Sometimes when we are in pain, we simply do not see the big picture. And we do stupid things and take it out on people. And you know … it’s okay. I forgive you. I forgive myself.

So to this woman I say “thank you.” Here is my thank you note to you, even if I’m still a little miffed and irritated. Thank you for showing me myself. Not a self for me to judge or criticize or belittle. Not a self for me to attack in return with more judgments and anger into a downward spiral. Nope, I can see this woman in pain, and I don’t need to attack her. She is part of myself, for me to understand better why people act the way they do. And my job is to have compassion. Compassion for myself, and compassion for her. She and I are the same. My job is to see past her pain and judgments to who she is trying to be underneath all that self-judgment and bitter despair. My job is to see her divinity. And my own. Simultaneously.

What thank you notes would you write to the people in your life you’d least like to acknowledge or thank? Who do you consider to be your worst enemies? Those who “betrayed” you and broke your heart …

Perhaps they can show all of us how to love ourselves a little more completely.

I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.

Love,

Erika Awakening, Teaching People How to Create Everyday Miracles at TAPsmarter

Erika Awakening is one of the world’s foremost experts on eradicating limiting beliefs and living life on your own terms.