Forgiveness

There are many challenges in life and it's fair to state that nobody's perfect. We sometimes fall out with friends, loved ones and colleagues but to be sure, we know it's wise to find our way back and work things out. That's what forgiveness is. Having a big enough heart to allow someone the time to be heard and have a chance to express what they were thinking or why they were acting in a way that set us in motion. Our emotions get poked and sore spots get reactivated. Finding a common ground just keeps the world turning and we need that.

It means a lot to us emotional beings to be heard, to be seen. It validates us in a way that our big hearts and even bigger minds need. In a way it restores our freedom, on both sides of the fence. If we get dug in, we keep ourselves in that same restricted space.

Showing forgiveness means acknowledging that we too have caused pain or offence. Receiving forgiveness is allowing ourselves to get past the pain and begin to heal. We can be forgiving of a loved one or even a complete stranger. Just imagine being in someone else's shoes. Being willing to forgive is more of a favour to yourself. It gives you a release of the burden.

Are some things simply unforgivable? Yes, but the act of allowing yourself to be free of what you cannot change is what can be done in that kind of forgiving. The judgement and the justice of something that great is best left to some force greater than you or I. This includes being able to forgive ourselves for what might seem insurmountable and repeated offenses. Behaviours that we struggle to make right, or actions of the past that were in vain can all be worked out. If we can rise from our ignorance and have a sense of compassion, all things can be made right.

Finding the lessons in forgiveness is a life-long pursuit. It comes back to remembering that we are not perfect. There will be shortsightedness, thoughtless words and actions or reactions when emotions are high. Somehow it gets ploughed through and we reach the other side. Practice forgiving on a daily basis, with everyone that raises your emotion. Whether our hurt is beneath our anger or our anger steals our peace, practice. It is said that what angers you has power over you. We need to forgive. Imagine a world with out it.