Letting go of grudges in the New Year

Based on information from Mayo Clinic Staff (Nov, 2022).

The Mayo Clinic is a wonderful

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger and resentment — or embrace forgiveness and move forward.

-Mayo Clinic Staff (Nov. 2022).

With a New Year underway, it is a good time to reflect on the ups and downs of 2023. Finding ways to forgive can be incredibly powerful as you move into all the adventures 2024 has to offer. Mayo Clinic Staff define forgiveness as, “an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger.” (Mayo Clinic Staff, Nov. 2022). There is an important caveat here in that, “Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the harm done to you.” (Mayo Clinic Staff, Nov. 2022). That said, there are health benefits involved in forgiveness:

Healthier relationships.
Improved mental health.
Less anxiety, stress and hostility.
Fewer symptoms of depression.
Lower blood pressure.
A stronger immune system.
Improved heart health.
Improved self-esteem.

(Mayo Clinic Staff, Nov. 2022).

Granted, forgiveness is easier said than done. Forgiveness is a complicated process that raises questions for many people such as: How do I move toward a state of forgiveness? What happens if I can’t forgive someone?  What if the person I’m forgiving doesn’t change? and more. If you would like to learn the answers to these questions, and more about forgiveness as an intentional decision, review the content gathered by Mayo Clinic Staff here: mayoclinic.org

The Mayo Clinic is a wonderful resource for a variety of health related topics. You can access the content shared by the Mayo Clinic here: mayoclinic.org

Mayo Clinic Staff . “Why Is It so Easy to Hold a Grudge?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Nov. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/forgiveness/art-20047692.

Every Wednesday, CommunityCare of Lyme lifts up a wellness topic, embracing the widest possible definition of individual and community well-being. We include local and national resources, individual and group programs and practices, and personal stories, videos, or songs that have something to teach us all. We are always seeking guest contributors! 

If you have a wellness-themed topic you would like to share or learn more about, please reach out to shelby@cclyme.org

Shelby Wood
Manager of Volunteer Participation
CommunityCare of Lyme
Shelby@cclyme.org
802-468-7776 (cell)
603-795-0603 (CCL office and help line)