Ho’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, centered on healing relationships through understanding, mutual respect, and love. It involves the repetition of four simple yet powerful phrases: “I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.”
Find a quiet place to sit and center yourself, reflecting on areas in your life or relationships where forgiveness is needed. Consider these thoughts and feelings closely, focusing on the healing they seek. Write a poem that weaves in the four key phrases of Ho’oponopono, either as a foundation or interspersed throughout. Aim for honesty and simplicity, letting the act of writing facilitate a path to healing and reconciliation.
Here is a sample of a poem I wrote to my ex husband and I changed the phrase a bit to I forgive you:
I’m sorry for asking you
to keep coming to church with me
when your soul was done with religion
they say I’m the brave one
but you took the first step
and I was practiced at following in your shadow
Thank you for being the one to keep
helping me see
everything was going to be ok
on the other side of all our separations
like the way you said someone else will find me beautiful
when you said you didn’t
turns out each day
we thanks you for missing it
Forgive me for the ways I asked you to be the good boy
instead of fully your radiant self
I hope your wild now
with your girl stretchy pants
finding dresses fun
and still completely in love with too many women
please try to stop making them accept you like
your mother rejected herself and you
I love you for the ways you keep choosing to be wildly weird
and showing our daughter it’s ok
to not always fit in.
