3 Ways Forgiveness Will Help Reduce Stress and Increase Happiness
Forgiveness is powerful. And though you may believe that you are doing something good to others by forgiving them, you are actually doing far more good to yourself.
Reducing stress is one of the amazing benefits that you enjoy when you forgive everyone.
RELATED: New Study Suggests the Human Brain May Be Wired to Forgive
The secret? Forgiving essentially frees yourself from the binding effect of expecting others to acknowledge and pay for what they have done to you. By deciding to make peace with it instead of waging war against it, you pacify yourself. And you’ll feel so much better!
Here are 3 ways forgiveness will help you reduce stress:
You’ll feel lighter
Have you ever noticed how inner turmoil can feel like physical weight? If you release that weight, your thoughts will “feel” lighter, just as your body would feel lighter weighing less.
There’s no better way of releasing that weight than forgiveness. Once you do it, those thoughts are transformed into memories that help you understand your past, but don’t keep you anchored or unable to move on with all the new possibilities out there waiting for you.
You’ll feel more positive
When you forgive someone, you replace the negative feelings that haunt you every time you remember that person or anything else that reminds you of him/her. And the beauty of it is that you can then fill this newly created space in you with hope, kindness and love.
This change will make you more positive because it will make you realize that you have the power to turn any negative event into a positive new beginning by simply forgiving!
You’ll become more patient
Knowing that you can change any negative event into a positive one by being forgiving makes you more patient with people. With patience rather than anxiety as your driving force, you will manage tricky situations based on strategy instead of just reacting to them!
How do you know if you're there?
Think of a difficult moment in the past and ask yourself: How do you feel about that person? You should be able to wish her well and not just feel indifferent. If you feel indifferent, you might be blocking how you really feel about her.
RELATED: 21 Forgiveness Quotes to Help You Let Go of the Past
The secret is to apply forgiveness liberally, or else it will not have quite as powerful an effect. If you start forgiving selectively (when you feel like it), you will soon find yourself trapped in negativity.
Forgive as an act of consciousness that is not dependable on the platitudes of emotion. So don’t wait until you feel like forgiving, just do it!
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.