I was originally planning to write about forgiveness today, but then I realized that it was only a small part of the whole of what I am currently feeling and looking for right now.

And that is healing.

When we have a physical, visible injury like a scrape or a cut, it's amazing to watch the body go through its healing process. In some ways it's so incredibly efficient and fast. It really is miraculous.

But sometimes the healing we need isn’t on the outside.

And many times it isn’t physical.

Sometimes we need the inward healing of the heart.
We can't see the heart heal.
And sometimes it feels like it never fully does.
But our body is always moving towards healing.

And the journey begins spontaneously the moment the heart breaks. Because the body knows what the heart needs. We just have to trust. Give it support and breathe when the moments feel hard.

Just like healing of the body, healing of the heart is not a simple or one step process. It’s multifaceted and oscillates through ebbs and flows over time.

In my opinion, there are 12 keys to help with whole-hearted healing:

Acceptance of what is

Appreciation for the gifts that still exist

Forgiveness of others AND yourself

Gratitude for the blessings that is the chance to learn and grow

Tenderness to yourself and your heart

Support from others

Hope for a brighter tomorrow

Compassion for yourself and others

Faith that things can be different

Strength to rise

Joy as an antidote to the pain

Courage to try again

If forgiveness is something your heart feels like it needs right now, do this 3-Minute Ancient Forgiveness Practice with me.

While the heart may be able to heal, there will always be an indelible print left on it by what broke it. And that is a part of the magic of life.

Because "the cracks are how the light gets in". ~Leonard Cohen

May your heart get the whole healing that it needs. And be stronger and brighter because of the cracks.