Lack of forgiveness causes almost all of our self-sabotaging behavior.
Mark Hansen
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Hello Holly
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The rule is: "Forgive, if you wish to be forgiven."
There is no single individual who has ever stepped outside his front door who hasn't done something to be forgiven for. Carelessness, missed opportunities, mistakes or just plain meanness have created cob webbian problems for himself and others.
The easiest thing to do in life, it seems, is to make a mistake, to get something wrong, to mess up, for me, and hence for everyone else. If we didn't forgive each other we would be breathing animosity instead of air. It's true that some things are more difficult to forgive than others and some people seem to be beyond forgiveness. How many times can I forgive a perpetual evil doer before he stops? That's a hard one. But if I get into the habit of forgiving it gets easier. Forgiveness, like breathing, is a choice. But like the lungs, which will work automatically once they are set in motion, forgiving can become a matter of natural fact.
I may carry around self destructive burdens of anger, hatred and a desire for revenge, all of which can eventually be cured by the medicine of forgiveness. But no matter how many scoundrels I meet in life the hardest person to forgive is myself, because, if I don't, then I have to add to my load the invisible and nasty virus of regret.
Forgiveness is hard work, but like weeding your garden, cleaning your house, supporting your family or meeting a payroll, it's a necessity of life.
And life is too good to waste it on negative feelings.
DB - The Original Vagabond
Never Give Up
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AUTUMN QUESTION
What event over the past year changed your life, a lot or a little?
Only 5 answers so far.
dbdacoba@aol.com
Autumn is moving along.
I eagerly await your answers.
DB
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2 comments:
You did it again! Brought back a memory: 1960s, I drove a hop truck during the late summer harvest. When possible, I'd stop and lunch at Flora's place. She had a poster there of a Robert Frost quote, "Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee, and I'll forgive Thy great big one on me." Flora was a retired school teacher who knew poetry and I was a hick who needed to know more. Reciprocity, especially in forgiveness, opens poetry and working hops without it was just hot and hard.
I find I can forgive, but I do not forget. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
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