Patience. Understanding. Forgiveness. Balance. All are key ingredients toward building healthy, harmonious relationships. Without them, the firm foundation of understanding and teamwork our relationships are built on has nowhere left to grow. Just as a plant needs sunlight to grow, we too need the light of God's love to illumine us so that we might grow in spirit. When we harbor negative thoughts, we are diffusing this divine light by turning away from love.

It could be that we have found ourselves caught in the past because of a situation we can't seem to move beyond. When we are able to let go, we are acknowledging that God is in charge. But how can we do this? By turning to God in prayer and meditation, we allow divine love to flow through us and from us in our words and actions. Forgiveness heals us in mind, body, and spirit.

While we cannot change the past, we can learn and grow from our experiences.

Once we are at peace within ourselves, we will find it easier to face others and open the lines of communication that may have previously shut down due to a misunderstanding.

As we forgive, we are allowing divine love to release us from the burdens of negativity and lift us up in Spirit. The love of God once again fully illumines us now that the shadows of doubt and fear are removed. Harmony is once again reestablished and our relationship can move forward.

The following are some helpful tips as you practice forgiveness:

• Find time for open and honest discussions. Turn off the TV. Tune out the rest of the world. Talk to the ones you love. Even if there doesn't seem to be anything to discuss, make quality time a habit.
• Let go of the past by affirming: I am God's love and understanding in expression.
• Before going to bed, mentally forgive anyone you feel animosity toward. Release any negative feelings by asking yourself, "What would God want me to do?"
• Rather than reacting immediately to something said or done, temporarily remove yourself from the situation. Take a walk. Listen to music. Meditate in a quiet place. Refocus on God's presence, then return to work through the situation in a spirit of peace.