To forgive yourself, begin with Truth,
Acknowledge mistakes, embrace the proof.
Take responsibility, own your role,
But don’t let blame consume your soul.
Reflect on how your actions weighed,
On others’ hearts, the pain they made.
Feel empathy, let guilt transform,
To lessons learned through every storm.
Your mistakes are not your name,
You’re not forever bound to shame.
Hold to your values, let them steer,
The better choices you hold more dear.
Show yourself the love you’d send,
To comfort a struggling, cherished friend.
Suffering is a shared refrain,
A part of life, not cause for more pain.
From every trial, wisdom flows,
Growth and wake, the seeds it sows.
Apologize quickly, where harm was done,
Make amends, and peace is won.
Silence the critic in your mind,
With words of kindness, soft and kind.
Celebrate progress, no matter big or small with stride,
A journey of healing, with love as your guide.
Lean on those who hear your heart,
Their warmth can help the mending of a new start.
Through journaling or mindful space,
Find forgiveness at your pace.
Give yourself the gift of time,
Healing’s rhythm holds no rhyme.
With patience, gentleness, and ancient love now anew,
Self-forgiveness will see you through.
Thach Ho, LCSW 