Emotional Healing By Way of Forgiving

Has a person or an event of the past shattered your hope for the future or has emotional stability been challenging in the aftermath of a traumatic event? Ignoring trauma or loss never makes the pain go away. Real relationships are messy. Though more often than not, the people closest to us do not set their sights on trying to make our lives miserable. But sometimes, when their misery cannot be contained, it spills out all over those who are closest to them. The greatest challenge for those who get splattered by another’s misery is to avoid blame, to refrain from bitterness and to resist revenge.

In this workshop, we will explore anger, resentment, bitterness, defensiveness, grudges and unforgiveness. Terese will pose questions to ponder and offer understanding of what forgiveness is and is not and share the steps to reach a state of forgiveness. This could be forgiveness of oneself or another person; it is not about forgetting or reconciliation. Why bother with forgiveness? When we free ourselves from resentment, we are healing—for resentment and blame constipates our thinking and our ability to live fully. Terese will also share her inspiring journey of forgiveness that led to her emotional healing. In this interactive workshop you will be able to explore these personal issues in a safe community space and work toward setting yourself free through forgiveness.

About the presenter:
Terese Luikens has been married for forty-four years to the same man, although she is on her third wedding ring, having lost one and worn out another. She lives in Sandpoint, Idaho, enjoys being “Mom” to three grown sons and “Grandma” to her much-loved grandchildren. She is the author of A Heart’s Journey to Forgiveness, a Memoir of her inspiring journey of emotional healing from her father’s suicide. You can read her Local Author Interview. Terese facilitates retreats and workshops focusing on forgiveness, and publishes her own blog called, Why Bother?