With Thanksgiving approaching, plans to spend time with loved ones come into focus, along with the quality of our relationships. At the local, national and global level, many people are experiencing heightened challenges affecting all of us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

How do we take care of ourselves and each other in today’s world? For the last month or so, I have been tested. A close family member was diagnosed with a health challenge that required surgery, and I travelled to be with her. It has been very difficult on her, of course, but I have also been quite affected, as I endeavor to support someone I love very much.

Recognizing that I needed extra support for my health and well-being, I contacted my team of holistic health providers and resources which offered guidance, calm and comfort. I also consulted one of my favorite references, The Book of Ho’oponopono: The Hawaiian Practice of Forgiveness and Healing.

The Ho’oponopono process is a way to reconnect with the Divine, or as practitioners call it, the Zero State. The basis of this healing modality is the belief that we are 100 percent responsible for everything that shows up in our lives—from a challenging friendship to a refugee crisis we read about in the newspaper. If it appears in our consciousness, it is our job to “clean” our thoughts and delete the unconscious programs and beliefs that are manifesting the distressing reality. By repeating the phrases, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you,” we clean ourselves and get closer to Zero, the state of magic, miracles and no limitations.

This means that terrorist activity, political maneuvering, economic busts—anything we experience and don’t like—is up to us to heal. They don’t exist, in a manner of speaking, except as projections from inside us. The problem isn’t with them, it’s with us, and to change them, we must change ourselves—clean ourselves—constantly. As we love ourselves in this way, we can improve our world. It can be a path to worldwide healing.

To realize any desired change, there’s only one place to look: inside. This is no simple feat. Over the many years that I have used this powerful tool, I can testify how transforming it has been to many of my relationships and experiences. Reading The Book of Ho’oponopono as I flew to be with my loved one helped to recast me from a victim to a powerful creator that can help transform reality. I’ve simplified the process, of course. It takes a thorough study and steady practice to achieve results. Perhaps you’ll want to give it a try. Let’s envision the whole world practicing Ho’oponopono this holiday season.

I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher