True, wholesome, meaningful forgiveness doesn’t stop at saying a few magic words. But it could start there. Like every facet of healing, forgiveness is a process. If certain experiences in your past still weigh heavy on your soul, and you’re ready to confront them, then explore your own "things I forgive you for" list.

A large part of healing involves setting boundaries. Boundaries, in my own language, are the intersection at which I can take care of myself and be fully present with you. They’re guidelines for how I want to be treated and how I choose to respond. It’s when I don’t set those guidelines for myself that I lose myself in other people. Your personal boundaries communicate to others -- and to your own self -- what works for you and what doesn’t.

If you've ever thought things like "Why me?" or "What if... ?" here's another, more helpful question for you: now that you’re here, after all you've been through, what will you do? Instead of trying to change the past or escape the facts, this one simple question puts you in the present moment: where new life can grow.

It’s not too late to be the person you needed when you were younger. It’s never a wrong time to give yourself what you need. If what you need is forgiveness for past wrongs or acceptance of who you are today or appreciation for how far you’ve come, this open letter is yours to read. It's what I wish my younger self knew.

A shattered heart needs to be held together, and prayer is an age-old ritual that can heal and mend the spirit like nothing else can, or when nothing else can. However you pray, even if you don't, I hope these quotes about prayer inspire you to open your heart, and to consider that, itself, a form of prayer.

May we have the courage to greet each new beginning (and each decision) with an open heart. Whether you need to start over or keep going, I hope this prayer inspires you to keep hope alive, to trust in love one more time, and to take care of yourself along the way. The best changes start on the inside, with you.

When someone you love dies, you know how hard it is to grow through that. No matter how long it's been. If you're intent on making beauty out of the pain they left behind, but you still can't help thinking how good it'd feel to trade everything away, for just a minute more with them, here's a poem for that.

It's easy to say forgiveness heals, that it's for the injured and not the offender, but it's another thing entirely to forgive. Forgiveness is a process rather than an event. It's an unfolding decision, one you make again and again. But why forgive someone who's hurt you? Here are 13 good reasons to try.

Okay, sometimes it’s a salt bath and a piece of chocolate. But real self-care isn’t set in stone. It changes as you change. It’s changing your focus, habits and priorities when what used to work for you doesn’t work anymore. And what you need right now, it’s not always pretty or popular.

Since I lost my brother to suicide, I've been a heck of a lot more aware about what works for me and what doesn't. I've learned there are things you don't have to do -- the sorts of things that chip away at your quality of life. I wonder if life has taught you some of these same things, too...