Forgiveness and Moving On: Unlocking the Chains of the Past

You blow one breath into an empty balloon for each hurt, person or event you struggle to forgive, until it is stretched almost beyond holding. Then you release it and watch it fly around the room, emptied. It shows how held-in anger and sadness build pressure, and how letting go releases it.

The second round is smaller. You choose a single thing you're holding onto, give it one breath, and let the air out at once so the balloon returns to normal. It shows that releasing can be quick and simple, and that you can work on one thing at a time.

You turn your anger into images of the person or event you can't forgive, held in your hand like cards. You throw them into a rubbish bin, listen for the thud and press the lid down tightly. If the anger returns later, you turn it into pictures again and use the same bin.

It deepens your relaxation before any suggestions begin. Each sway of the hammock comes with a number, three, two, one, and by one your relaxation has tripled. After a quiet minute of rocking, you are ready for the forgiveness messages.

They include "I'm not defined by my past. I am defined by who I choose to be" and "I am free from the chains of my past, and I move forward with a light heart and open mind." The session suggests repeating them regularly, especially when you're reflecting or dwelling on the past.

No. It says your feelings, whether anger, sadness or hurt, are all valid, and that forgiveness is a gift to yourself rather than a one-time event. Setbacks are described as okay, and you're invited to treat yourself as kindly as you would a friend.