Forgiving the little things

Jesus said, "Love your enemies," and perhaps we think of Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. The idea of loving them - or Hitler, or Bush - is beyond us. So let's start with little steps. Not our enemies, but our irritants. The driver who cut us off in traffic. The shopper blocking the aisle with her cart. The woman in exercise class who has the perfect body. Our spouses, partners or significant others.

Dr. Fred Luskin in his book Forgive for Good, says that we can learn to forgive the big things by starting with the little ones. Forgiveness is like a muscle, it must be built up over time. When you find yourself annoyed or irritated, take three deep breaths and silently say to that person, "I forgive you, I forgive you, I forgive you."

Watch what happens in yourself. Does your irritation lift? Do you feel more happy? Does the tension in your muscles release?