Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~Paul Boese
No matter how old or young we are, no matter how many people have come and gone in our life - there are always those we feel have wronged us in some way.
Words said or not said.
Actions taken or feelings ignored.
The friendships ended, the family relationships strained, all while we withhold forgiveness. And the whole time we keep those feelings of resentment buried and festering inside, it's a poison to our soul. And where there's poison, there's less room for joy.
This week as I sit to write this post I've been forced to look within. To examine the past and people I've hurt or remember people that have hurt me. Events and words that seemed unforgivable at the time, may deserve to be looked at differently now.
Do I hope to be forgiven? Doesn't everyone?
Can I forgive the wrongs against me?
YES. To bring joy in my life and keep it flowing - there is no other choice.
Since life is about learning from mistakes, and no one is perfect - I think we all hope to be forgiven at some point in our lives, for something we've done wrong...denying it only causes bitterness and sadness.
The saying goes, "to err is human, to forgive is divine," and I think it is. To forgive is to lift a weight off your shoulders. It doesn't mean to forget, it doesn't mean to allow the wrong to continue. It means to free yourself of the poison of letting it fester inside you.
To forgive may mean a second chance at a friendship. It may mean opening a window when you'd already nailed a door shut.
To forgive is a way to joy. It's the moment you realize you have to let something go. For me, it's time to get back the joy in my life and forgive the wrongs I can. How about you? Is it time to make room for a little more joy and little less resentment?
Let's choose joy this week!
Let's choose joy this week!
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I wish you joy on the road you travel this week!
*52 Ways to Joy is a weekly post to celebrate the simple ways to bring
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Debora, a nice thought provoking post. The only downside of forgiveness (when extended verbally/in writing) to the party who has injured us is, if they are neither emotionally whole or mentally balanced enough to react with maturity, it can be dangerous to re-open a relationship. When the other party is unhinged or feels "they" are the wounded person against all evidence to the contrary, their follow on actions can put us or our families' lives in a bad situation. So I would say to temper forgiveness with caution. I can forgive someone internally without having to broadcast it to that person or others.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. There are definitely some relationships way beyond repair. And I would never suggest to anyone to reopen a relationship that might jeopardize themselves or their families. But, internally, forgiving and moving on can be cleansing. Instead of letting that person continue to hurt you when the moment has long past.
DeleteSo true, Deb! This post caught my eye right away! I'm so glad you're sharing this 52 Ways to Joy. :D
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I think it's so important to make peace within ourselves. If that means opening doors you closed, that's great. If that's not possible because the person is still toxic to you, that's okay, too. The point is, for me, not holding on to the hurt and anger.
ReplyDelete