deathbed forgiveness – End of Life University

Learn the importance of forgiveness for moving forward in society, personal life, and spiritual growth.

In Part 5 of the Mortal Wisdom Series I’ll discuss why Forgiveness is an especially important skill to learn in the midst of our culture of constant outrage. We cannot solve today’s problems unless we learn how to lay down the bitterness and resentment that keep our energy stuck in the past. These are the lessons we can learn from our mortality and how to thrive in life while knowing that death awaits. Listen to Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 first if you haven’t heard them yet!

Listen here:

This episode includes:

Why there is so much outrage in our society today
Why we need to remember our interconnectedness and interdependence in order to solve the problems we are facing
How hospice patients focus on forgiveness as they face the end of life
How forgiveness benefits health, relationships and spiritual growth
Why forgiveness should be an intentional, daily practice
Tools for practicing forgiveness
- Journaling
- the “4-View” Process for forgiveness
- Ho’oponopono

Forgiveness is the fragrance a flower gives when it is crushed.

-Anonymous

Links mentioned in this episode:

A Year of Reading Dangerously online reading group
Spiritual Journeys in Chronic Illness Course
Beautiful Dying Expo – Nov. 2-3, 2019 – San Diego CA
Mortal Wisdom Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4
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If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes! Thanks again to all supporters on Patreon.com/eolu, especially my new Patrons, Mary Ellen Shea and Jan Wessell and to Licha Kelley-King for upping your pledge!

Learn why and how to start a forgiveness practice now instead of waiting until your last days.

In this episode I share my thoughts about the importance of forgiveness and why you shouldn’t wait until the end of life to start practicing it. I’ve been working on it all my adult life and I can guarantee you it’s a worthwhile endeavor!

Read the companion blog here.

Download the Forgiveness Tool Kit.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

For the month of April I’m hosting the 10-day S.M.A.R.T. Decisions Challenge to help you get your advance directives completed in honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day. You’ll be guided step-by-step to figure out what really matters to you so that you can utilize that information as you fill out your living will and healthcare proxy forms. Sign up here.

If you are interested in teaching a death and dying class at some point in the future you can download the Teaching Guidelines here! When you sign up you’ll be on the mailing list to learn about the upcoming Work Group and Mastermind for death and dying teachers!

Get the Guidelines here.

FEATURE PRESENTATION:

Many of my hospice patients have been concerned about practicing forgiveness before they died. I sat with them at their bedsides as they struggled to let go of their anger and bitterness so that they could die in peace.

But I learned that it is possible to start the process of forgiveness now so that the task will be much easier at the end of life. Here are some of the mindset shifts I’ve found are helpful as you learn to forgive (listen to the episode to hear the details):

Life is a classroom – you can learn from any experience
You are not entitled to a life free from difficulties
The past no longer exists except in your memory where you keep negative events alive
It’s not your job to punish those who have harmed you (and trying to do that just hurts you even more)
You can make yourself whole again without getting an apology
The 4-View Forgiveness can help you get a broader perspective on past events
Simple rituals can help you let go of the past

Get the Forgiveness Tool Kit to learn more about strategies for practicing forgiveness on a daily basis so that you will be free of the burden of resentment at the end of life. Sign up for the kit here.

Tune in every Monday for a new episode! Leave a review on iTunes if you like this content (it really makes a difference) and go to Patreon.com/eolu if you’d like to become a supporter!

Until next week remember …

Face Your Fear BE Ready Love Your Life