Tomorrow night ends the Ten Days of Awe or Days of Repentance. As a Jewish holiday it is said that your fate is written on Rosh Hashonah and it is sealed on Yom Kippur. During those ten days, one asks for forgiveness, a time to reevaluate our lives and goals as well as our indiscretions or sins of the previous year and repent them before Yom Kippur, as well as acts of charity.
However, it is clearly taught that for sins against your fellow man (or woman), regardless of whether it is knowingly or unknowingly, one must ask forgiveness from that person directly. Notice this covers insensitivity.
Likewise, when asked by another individual for forgiveness, it is typical to give it.
Forgiving someone else may relieve another person, and can be a real challenge if you hold onto grudges, but the real benefit of forgiveness is to yourself.
A study reported in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine reveals a decrease in heart rate and blood is there a generic ventolin pressure as well as stress when forgiveness is bestowed. An added study reported in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin reveals that by forgiving someone, you receive:
Positive behavior towards others (not just the offending party)
- Increases acts of volunteerism
- Increases philanthropy and alternative altruistic actions
- Improves somatic complaints
- Decreases fatigue
- and improves the quality of sleep
Because forgiveness is beneficial to not only your body, your relationships and even your place in the world, it is good to work on this act and release any lingering anger.
Wow, the biblical elders really knew what they were talking about! So, please forgive me for anything that I may have done to offend you, either knowingly or unknowingly and have a warm holiday with family and friends around you!
Thank you for your friendship and the exchange of ideas that we have had together. It is truly appreciated.
Happy and Healthy New Year for a sweet year to come!
Barbara Hales, M.D., The Medical Strategist
