Ignite Forgiveness

Forgiveness. 

It’s one of the most powerful and transformative acts we can undertake in life, yet it can often feel like one of the hardest.

How on earth do we let go of the pain caused by others or even by ourselves and free ourselves from the emotional weight we carry?
How do we forgive when the hurt feels so deep, the scars still raw, or the memory too vivid to forget?

The truth is, forgiveness is not about condoning what happened or pretending it didn’t hurt.
Forgiveness is not about erasing the past or allowing someone to hurt you again.
Forgiveness is about freedom. It’s about choosing to release yourself from the grip of pain, resentment and anger so that you can step into a lighter, more joyful future.

Forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it does transform your relationship with it. It’s the key to unlocking a new beginning—not for the person who wronged you, but for yourself.

If there is one thing I have learned in life, it's the importance of letting go to lighten the load.

Imagine carrying a heavy backpack on a long journey. Each grudge, hurt or unresolved resentment is like a rock in that backpack. Over time, the weight becomes unbearable, slowing you down, draining your energy and making the journey more difficult than it needs to be.

When you choose forgiveness, you are setting that backpack down. You are lightening your load and freeing yourself to move forward unburdened.

Forgiveness isn’t always a straight path. Sometimes, it feels easier to hold on to anger because it feels like protection—a way of staying in control or guarding against future hurt.
Other times, it feels impossible to forgive because the pain runs too deep, the wound too fresh.

Forgiveness isn’t a one-time act. Forgiveness is a process, a journey of letting go layer by layer, moment by moment. It’s not about forcing yourself to forgive before you are ready; it’s about creating space for healing and allowing forgiveness to unfold in its own time.

Their is a transformative power in forgiveness.

When you forgive, you are not just releasing someone else from blame—you are liberating yourself.

Forgiveness has the power to free your energy as holding on to resentment ties up emotional energy that could be used for joy, creativity, and growth. Forgiveness clears the way for those energies to return.

Bring inner peace as when you let go of anger and bitterness, you make room for calm and clarity in your heart and mind.

Forgiveness can heal relationships,  fosters connection, compassion and understanding with others and with yourself.

Forgiveness is a beautiful way to foster personal growth and allows you to see the lessons in your pain and grow stronger and wiser because of it.

Forgiveness is a choice, A choice that will empower you. A powerful declaration that you are no longer defined by what happened to you.

One of the most beautiful tools for cultivating forgiveness is the Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono, which means “to make right” or “to restore harmony.” Rooted in ancient Hawaiian traditions, this practice is a process of reconciliation, healing and emotional cleansing.

At its core, Ho’oponopono is about taking responsibility—not in a way that blames yourself, but in a way that recognises the interconnectedness of all things and the power of love and forgiveness to heal.

The practice is centered on repeating four simple yet profoundly powerful phrases:

I’m sorry.

Please forgive me.

Thank you.

I love you.

To help you put Ho’oponopono into practice, here are a few simple steps and if you are ready to dive deeper, you will find a full lesson and two guided meditation practices inside The Wild Woman Gateway.

STEP 1: Find a quiet space where you can reflect without distractions.

STEP 2:. Bring to mind the person, situation, or even part of yourself that you want to forgive.

STEP 3: Slowly repeat the four phrases: “I’m sorry”: Acknowledge the pain or harm, even if it’s toward yourself. “Please forgive me”: Ask for forgiveness, not just from others but also from yourself for holding onto pain. “Thank you”: Express gratitude for the opportunity to heal and for the lessons learned. “I love you”: Reconnect with the energy of love and compassion, which transcends hurt and brings wholeness.

STEP 4:. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that arise—whether it’s sadness, relief or gratitude.

You don’t have to say the phrases out loud; even silently repeating them with intention can have a powerful impact. The beauty of Ho’oponopono is that it can be practiced anytime, anywhere, and as often as needed.

Experience it for yourself and click here to watch a guided Ho’oponopono practice.

Self-forgiveness is at the heart of healing.

While forgiving others is powerful, one of the most profound acts of forgiveness is directed inward.

How often do we replay our mistakes, criticise ourselves or carry shame for things we have done or failed to do?

Self-forgiveness is about extending the same compassion and understanding to yourself that you would offer to a dear friend. It’s about acknowledging your humanity, embracing your imperfections, and recognising that growth often comes from mistakes.

Here are the tried and tested steps for self-forgiveness. Wild and tender waypoints of the sacred spiral on map back to your own heart, where shame softens, compassion rises and wholeness quietly waits to be remembered.

Acknowledge the moment you forgot who you truly are: Gently name what happened—not to shame, but to see clearly. Let the truth rise like morning mist, soft and honest.

Take radical responsibility, not relentless blame Own your part with integrity. This is not self-punishment—it’s self-honouring.

Feel all that desires to be felt. Let the tears fall, the heat rise, the ache hum through your bones. Emotions are the alchemists of the soul.

Reflect on the wisdom offered by each wound. Ask yourself: What did this experience teach me Let growth bloom from the ashes.

Release the story that you must keep paying for your mistakes. Guilt is not your home. Let go of the need for self-punishment and lean into kindness.

Speak the Ho’oponopono Prayer, Slowly and with heart: I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. Let the words drip into your cells like sacred rain.

Offer your younger self compassion The compassion She Was Once Denied. See her clearly. Hold her closely. Remind her she is lovable, even in her mess.

Write a Love Letter of Liberation. Put pen to paper. Let the ink become medicine. Forgiveness loves to be witnessed.

Create a ritual of release. Burn the old story. Dance it out. Bury it in the Earth. Choose a symbolic act to mark your turning point.

Come back to your body. Breathe. Move. Rest. Let your nervous system know: It’s safe now.

Choose a new way of being. Let your next act be rooted in love. Let your future self be proud of how you rose.

Repeat as needed. Spiral, don’t climb. Forgiveness isn’t linear—it’s a wild dance of remembering, forgetting, and remembering again.

When you forgive, you are not just forgetting—you are choosing to move forward with wisdom and grace. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the past, but it allows you to reclaim your power in the present.

Imagine the possibilities when you no longer carry the weight of resentment or regret. What new dreams could you pursue? What relationships could you mend or deepen? What kind of peace could you experience?

Forgiveness is the key to unlocking these possibilities. It’s not just a letting go—it’s a stepping forward.

Each time you ignite forgiveness, you ignite flow and ignite freedom.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. It’s a journey of courage, compassion and transformation. When you choose to forgive—whether it’s someone else or yourself—you choose freedom.

You free yourself from the chains of the past and open the door to a future filled with lightness, joy and possibility.

I invite you to take that first step today. Maybe it’s practicing Ho’oponopono, writing a letter you don’t send or simply sitting with the idea of forgiveness.
Whatever it looks like for you, know that the journey is yours to take—and the freedom on the other side is worth it.

Let the fire of forgiveness ignite within you, burning away the pain of the past and lighting the way to a brighter future.

You have the power to let go, to heal and to move forward. The question is: are you ready?