A true friend once reminded me not to forget the value of forgiveness – forgiveness being this idealistic ‘letting go’ of the negative feelings and resentment towards someone, including letting go of blame.
Forgiveness to me, assists in maintaining a healthy perspective of life over the vast trivialities. It is something that I have always wholeheartedly believed in but tend to lose sight of during emotional turmoil, times when my ego has been bruised, my pride hurt, or I have been greatly disappointed or hurt by someone close to me. It is then that my self-righteous self demands that I disregard all others who have done wrong by me, that I deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy. True that I do, as does everyone. However, without a true understanding and forgiveness of others, I cannot completely understand myself and the world, unable to learn and grow and move forth freely. I am not the centre of the universe, even as the universe centres me.
It is a hard process, forgiving. So often we are accustomed to thinking firstly about ourselves, society reinforcing the mantra that the most important person to look after is our own self. Yet even forgiving ourselves is hard enough, forgiving others, where to start! However, it is love, compassion and forgiveness that is the common thread in all religious beliefs. Not that I’m religious. Sometimes we do need to see that there is a bigger picture, for a better good. Love, compassion and forgiveness that is. Still we seem to forget.
I react strongly but forgive easily. That’s what I like to think, or that’s what I hope for.
Anger, hurt and resentment are ultimately a waste of time and energy to hold onto.
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” -Paul Boese
“If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears.” -Cesare Pavese
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