MA, LPC, NCC,
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
A Mental Health Moment
By Bernadette Joy Graham, MA, LPC, NCC
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
The Truth Contributor
Many of our emotional challenges have to do with lack of self-love and forgiveness. Sometimes forgiving ourselves is the most difficult and we can carry it as a burden throughout our lifetime. I recently returned from a seminar in Chicago and had the opportunity to meet individuals from all around the United States in various disciplines of helping professions. I greatly enjoyed learning how other practitioners provided service to others. What I found to be significant for emotional health is called Ho’oponopono” (pronounced HO-oh-Po-no-Po-no). This is an ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness and functions as both a communication concept for reconciliation and a tool for restoring self-love and balance.
Ho’oponopono consists of four phrases to restore self-love and balance for both the individual saying the prayer or mantra depending upon how an individual identifies. “I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.” These phrases are repeated over and over with an intended person in mind who may have caused you pain, suffering or unhappiness but also provides forgiveness for the one repeating the prayer or mantra. In short, it is a form of self-love, something we could all use a little more of as we go through this thing called life.
The word ho’oponopono translates to “cause things to move back in balance” or to “make things right.” Those who utilize this form of prayer or mantra find it powerful in cleansing the body of shame, guilt and negative memories. The things that often keep our minds fixated on negative thoughts. Take a mental health moment and reflect on your own self-love or lack of, assess any guilt, anger or pain you may be holding onto that others brought into your life and what you may have brought into other’s lives.
We can all learn new ways to love from others, we just have to be willing to utilize an open mind. If that is you, try ho’oponopono, it may just be a new way to love yourself and step up your forgiveness.
“I’m Sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love You.”
Bernadette Graham is a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She is also a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist assisting with weight loss and smoking. Provide feedback or reach out at graham.bernadette@gmail.com For appointment information please call 419.409.4929 (Telehealth is available for ongoing and new clients at this time as well as in person appointments available on Tuesdays and Fridays only). Office location is 3454 Oak Alley Ct. Suite 300 Toledo, OH 43606 www.bjgrahamcounseling.org