The Rise Up

Traveling Light: Practical Forgiveness (Book Review of Forgiveness by Iyanla Vanzant)

Traveling Light: Practical Forgiveness
Book Review – Forgiveness: 21 Days to Forgive Everyone of Everything (Smiley Books, 2013)

 “Healing is the journey. The destination is yourself. The full recognition of all the different aspects of yourself—your joy, your sorrow, your pain, your pleasure—all lead you to the source of who you are. Only by having intimate contact with this source can you experience the fullness of your life. Only by fearlessly looking within can you embrace the landscape of your life and open yourself completely to all the love and compassion that lives inside you.” -Philip Berk

Forgiveness: 21 Days to Forgive Everyone for Everything by Iyanla Vanzant is the sojourner’s guide to joyful adventure. While the text seems to be better suited as a life traveler’s orientation workbook, the ready reader-participant will almost immediately appreciate the enrichment of having gone through the swamp, those challenging life experiences, before reaching the light.

I was eager to pick up this book, having read several by Iyanla, over the years, and after developing a relationship of trust with her writing. No stranger to the power of forgiveness, energy healing techniques, personal empowerment practices and mindful living, I felt prepared for the intensive work. Forgiveness brings clarity, focus, vitality, freedom and empowerment, all conditions I need to create the life of my dreams. Indigenous people around the globe have practiced forgiveness and reconciliation, like the ancient Hawaiian practice of Hoʻoponopono. Like so many of our ancient traditions, we have forgotten why and how we forgive.  Forgiveness reminds us who we are and why we are here.

Photo credit: Sunshine Allison

Through engagement in the activities outlined in the book, Iyanla facilitates the development of a forgiveness practice. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated that “Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” The practice of forgiveness trains the “puppy mind” that has the tendency to bounce all over the place. Iyanla begins the book with her own personal revelations, remembering, rescripting and release. (I was particularly moved by her opening with forgiving herself for judging the women who mothered her. When we forgive, we realize that everyone and everything is just as it should be.) Twenty-one days to forgive everyone for everything might seem too little for some and excessive for others, depending on self-awareness, vibration and the quality of life experiences. However, the book offers supportive structure to releasing the emotion charge that drives us in our lives.

Why 21 days? The theory is that it takes at least 21 days to develop a new habit. Some discount that theory as myth. Some research submits that it takes at least 66 days to foster a new pattern. Whatever the magic number, it takes discipline and commitment to create the positive shift we seek and transform our lives.

In 21 days, Iyanla guides us to forgiving ourselves as well as everyone and everything we can think of. Iyanla suggests that we allocate about 30-60 minutes a day for daily forgiveness process – time for meditation, prayer, journaling and drafting forgiveness statements, in addition to other healing activities. Progressive Emotional Freedom Technique is appropriately incorporated into this forgiveness practice. (Iyanla Vanzant is a certified expert in Pro-EFT. For Pro EFT resources, see: http://www.proeft.com.)

Tapping was introduced to me by Nick Ortner with the Tapping Solution. The tapping process is a gentle and strategic method of loosening the soil around the buried or rooted thoughts, wounds, judgment, emotions or belief. It is a physical and psychological process that supports the flow of energy, based in ancient Chinese acupressure. Pro EFT is a useful tool for processing any of life challenges. Tapping for forgiveness reveals the negative physical impact of toxic thoughts and beliefs patterns.

By the end of the book, after mindfully working through the process and observing results, you feel restored and revitalized. You realize that forgiveness is about self, about what we think, feel and believe about ourselves. Forgiveness is not about acquiescing to an opponent. It is not an action taken by the passive or weak. It is a warrior’s move. Forgiveness is a beautiful and sacred process of claiming freedom. Forgiveness is an integral aspect of self-mastery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my personal experience.

Photo credit: Aaliyah Phillips

Forgiveness can be purchased through Hay House, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

For more resources for Iyanla Vanzant, see: iyanlavanzant.com and http://innervisionsworldwide.com.

“Don’t believe everything you think.” – Byron Katie

Kwanzaa 7: Light the Way

For me, observing the seven days of Kwanzaa is a joyful and mindful way in which to ring in the new year. An African American and Pan African celebration established in 1966, Kwanzaa features seven universal principles, referred to as the Nguzu (or Nguzo) Saba.

Kinara – Kwanzaa 2013

Day 1 – Umoja (Unity): Celebrating oneness. Whether we are working together in a team and playing harmoniously or resisting and combatting, we are one…Interconnected and interdependent. Promote inclusivity. Separation is illusion. We decide how we experience this world. Together, we rise. Come, unify. One community.

Harambe for the Holidays at the Attucks (Norfolk, VA – Photo credit: Charlene Taylor, 2013)

Day 2 – Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Celebrating sovereignty!  Know yourself, identify yourself, define yourself, empower yourself, free yourself. Craft your own narrative. You determine your destiny. Take ownership of your life. Exercise your personal power. Know your potential. We are co-creators of the world we live in, social entrepreneurs.

Day 3 – Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility): Celebrating Social Responsibility! Yes, our actions matter…And, our work has resonant impact. What we do in unison has broader implications and greater sustainability. Genuine teamwork promotes mutual understanding, acceptance, patience, creativity, compassion and profound social development. Be solution-oriented. Share information. Value service. Appreciate one another. Be authentic. Honor yourself. Articulate gratitude. Lift as you climb. Each one teach one. Love into strength. Inspire, encourage, motivate and elevate. We rise. One.

Day 4 – Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Celebrating abundance! We have everything we need, and will ever need, when resources are allocated appropriately and nature is in balance. The emphasis is on cooperation, communication and collaboration instead of competition, domination or exploitation. Competition-based and exploitation-based economic systems are born of fear and lack and produce inefficiencies, disease, pollution and social inequality. Know your worth. Nurture strengths. Participate. Develop your ideas. Honor interests. Trust your gut. Give, and receive. Value diversity. Innovate with intention. Find your flow. Grow love.

Day 5 – Nia (Purpose): Celebrating Human Agency! Agency involves intention, foresight, self-regulation and self-reflectiveness. As agents you have the capacity to make choices. As agents, you are engaged in your own development. To discover your purpose, open your mind…free your heart…explore new horizons…be in the experience…journal your interactions, thoughts and feelings…express yourself…listen actively…practice wellness…engage. Realize that you are endowed with the potential to heal, solve, restore, reconcile, unite, integrate, expand and uplift. Center yourself and know your role, your gifts, your mission. Choose to live with intention, versus by default. Live on purpose.

African Dance – Washington DC (2013)

Day 6 – Kuumba (Creativity): Celebrating artistic expression! We are co-creators here. We are each original in our being. In expressing ourselves, manifesting our dreams, channeling our vitality, we bring to fruition art that inspires, soothes, links, harmonizes, brings perspective, offers solutions and empowers. Enthusiasm stimulates flow…Be enthusiastic! Get grounded, be passionate and lead with your heart. Be mindful, and grateful. Engage your senses. Witness the synergy. Our creative expression transcends boundaries. Experiment…Stretch…Shape…Polish. Create without limits. Enjoy! It’s all good!

Day 7 – Imani (Faith): Celebrating our Divinity! Faith is knowing that anything and everything is possible. Faith is belief without need for proof. Faith is embracing the moment…Knowing that time and space are imaginary…Knowing that separation is illusion. It takes lion’s courage to know without the evidence to support. To be faithful, is to be joyful. To be faithful, is to be peaceful.

Imani is realizing that the Kwanzaa principles are inextricably linked…That without faith, there is no real movement forward and upward. Imani is knowing that solidarity within the African diaspora is critical for the restoration of harmony and balance for humanity in the world. Authentic Black power is a healing balm, not just for the African diaspora, but for all inhabitants of earth.

May we remember that the 7 principles of Kwanzaa are universal and are an intricate part of our lives throughout the year. Cheers to a marvelous new year!

African Traditions – Washington DC (2013)