"As long as you don't forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind."
-- Isabelle Holland
We cannot avoid daily resentment and thoughts of guilt. They are a part of human nature. What we can do is release their grip on us. We can forgive others and ourselves daily.
Forgiveness requires nothing in return. There are no conditions. It gets rid of old baggage and clears up unfinished business. It leads us to a life of authenticity, lightness and directness. Forgiveness is the highest form of letting go of resentment and ego.
True forgiveness is more than an apology, understanding and acceptance. There is an element of recreating and re-imagining. There is a need to envision ourselves as more loving, interdependent, courageous and compassionate. Forgiveness requires honouring the sacred journey of learning about life - our life and others'.
"Whatever we have done, we can always make amends for it without ever looking back in guilt or sorrow."
-- Eknath Easwaran
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"Never argue with an idiot... They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience..."
Good 10th step reminder, if we hold on to anger, or lack of forgiveness, in any area, we are cutting off our own Pathway to Peace. One of my favorite Prayers, is "Release me from what holds me back"
Self forgiveness. Something that seems like foolishness in drinking. Ends up taking all the balls you can muster in sobriety. Because there's a lot of serious ground to cover before you get there. And in the end, you find it's not weakness or foolishness at all, if you consider those who have suffered from your anger.
Ive pulled a lot of unintentional boo boo s in sobriety too...
Kicked my ass all over the place...still get those pangs of guilt some days...and yes..step 10...
Its a neverending.. humbling.. learning.. one day at a time process..
You guys have a good night...
Gotta go to the city and open up a 3 day convention...
50% of the convention will be people from the US...
Been practicing the "Y'all" thing...but its not good...
Might hafta go with "Them there foreign folks..from the south eh, that used to drink that watered down beer, that tasted like horse"...um....well..wele work it out...
Later y'alll!!
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"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.
Thanks for a great post and for its super timing for me. I have had a very busy day and at one point, looking back, I knew that forgiveness wasn't in my heart. I know that if I don't forgive myself and others then I can never be truly peaceful.
I especially loved reading "Forgiveness is the highest form of letting go of resentment and ego." I shall really remember that tomorrow. Thank you for the reminder.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
