When looking into one’s future we’re brought up to look at any currency as a commodity for survival. Our focus is the immediate cash we use to accumulate things such as the basics like groceries, shelter, and clothing. Then there are the more intangible things like investments for our future or acquiring knowledge. More than likely, during these times of uncertainty for the world’s future, a currency usually equals paper bills, copper, silver, and gold.

When learning energy work for yourself, you learn these are all basic needs of our ego. The ego being hot-wired to our survival mechanism. I can’t blame the ego. If it weren’t for my ego I wouldn’t know the basics of safety. Moving out of the way of an oncoming vehicle, thinking twice before approaching a bear, and literally keeping my head above water when swimming so I can breathe are all advantages to experiencing my ego. However, going beyond the basic currency of survival, I suggest there is one currency that is often overlooked by the majority of the collective. The wisest investors, bankers, entrepreneurs, and families rarely use this one currency. It is often mistaken as an inconvenient form of currency with no real value and nothing to gain although it has tremendous investment opportunities and has been known to give back thousands in returns. Guaranteed to alleviate stress and bring an abundance of happiness and fulfillment into your life.

Ready to read about an excellent investment opportunity? FORGIVENESS.

“Uh”, you say? “WTF?”

Advances in science and psychology have shown that holding grudges and experiencing anger towards others and self contributes to less creativity, less problem-solving, increased stress, and major anxiety.

I know from my personal life this is true. I’m currently experiencing a situation with a close family member that reeks of forgiveness opportunities but I’m finding it difficult to get there … yet. Though I’m proud to say, like Michaelangelo chiseling away at his David statue, I’m chipping away at the grudges and feelings of injustice I have towards this family member. And I’m feeling lighter day by day. Now, I’m not dancing on my coffee table, doing cartwheels and feeling nothing but blissful love about the whole dynamics of our situation. But once I stopped thinking of me only, and came from trying to really understand the family member’s way of thinking, I find myself having a little more understanding and compassion from where this member is coming from. Do I agree with their demeanor? No. However, another little “nugget of truth” revealed itself during this process.

I’ve had layers and layers of buried anger and grudges towards this family member from years and years of perceived injustices. Experiences that I wasn’t willing to acknowledge for a variety of reasons. Talk about doing some homework! I’ll be the first to admit it’s not pain-free homework. Reflecting back, the reason I buried those memories is that I didn’t want to experience the full pain and anger while being afraid to express those feelings. Or I should say, my ego (mind) didn’t want to experience and express those feelings. In order for my ego to thrive and survive, it broke out the snow shovel and buried those feelings deep within, thinking it could forget everything and move on.

Being an energy worker, I know the first person I have to forgive for burying those unexpressed feelings is myself. How do I do that? By understanding that my ego didn’t know any better, survival being its sole purpose of existence. Then I was able to cut myself some slack and forgive myself for being hard on myself for burying the gunk, to begin with. If I had known better, I would have done better. This also applies to this member of my family, if they had known better, they would have done better. I spend at least five minutes a day closing my eyes and talking to my “inside self” to see what comes up. In my case, about this family member. Then I allow it to come up in whatever shape or form. Anger, frustration, tears, are all welcomed. From doing energy work, I’ve learned to fully re-experience those emotions. I’m able to let go of the past. In allowing those buried feelings to surface, I free up tons of energy. Energy I can put towards more creative endeavors and experiences.

Another perk from working on forgiveness? I find myself giving more, in the most unexpected ways. Holding the store’s door open for another customer to enter before I do, giving my spare change to the soul holding the cardboard sign on the street corner, or giving a simple smile to the clerk are quickly becoming automatic gestures of kindness without my ego’s interference. I find myself grinning inside and out.

I’m still working on total forgiveness for this family member. Unlike what my ego wants me to think, I know I’m not perfect and know I have to be patient with myself and stop projecting any negative feelings towards this person. I know the more I let go, the more I grow.

The truth is the more I let go … the more my forgiveness account grows. The best currency there is!

“Check please.”