Happy Thursday,
How are you all doing today? Please make sure you’re keeping cool and staying hydrated during this crazy heat wave we’re having, that is if you’re in SoCal., but, no matter where you are in the world, please make sure to take care of yourself.
Today I wanted to touch on the subject of forgiving. I watched a YouTube video yesterday and it was talking about how we should forgive others, because if we don’t then we aren’t finding favor in God’s eyes. Now, I’m not sure how I feel about that entirely. Maybe by the time I finish this blog I’ll have my feelings on the subject completely intact.
You see, I do believe that since our creator is a forgiving God, then we as his children should be forgiving as well, however, we are imperfect and I’m not trying to use that as an excuse, instead, what I’m saying is, forgiving isn’t always easy and perhaps we don’t realize that we haven’t forgiven someone until we find ourselves caught up in a discussion, then feelings hit us and we realize, we haven’t let go of something.
I know for me, when I speak to my ex, we can actually be having a nice conversation, then he’ll say something, and it triggers this tension within me. Now, one could say, I haven’t forgiven him for certain things, but when I try to figure out what it is that triggers me, I don’t feel like I’m holding a grudge, I just feel like I’m guarded, and I fight back so he can’t get close and hurt me again. This is my issue, I feel I’ve forgiven him, but have I if I get triggered? I feel I have, and I feel like I have the best relationship I’ve ever had with my creator since leaving him, therefore, I feel I have favor in God’s eyes, but according to what I listened to last night, that could be debatable.
Matthew 6:15 says, “but if you do not forgive others, then your father will not forgive your transgressions.” I struggle with this scripture, not because I want to go around holding a grudge and not forgiving others, but because, even though like I said, I feel I’ve forgiven others, yet at times, I’m triggered by something said to me and I react, so again, have I forgiven or have I just not grown past the hurt?
Have you heard the saying, I can forgive, but not forget? I wonder, is that even possible? Can you remember something at the same time forgive? According to dictionary.com, it says to forgive means to “stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw or mistake.” When I’m being triggered, have I truly let the resentment go or the offense? I have some soul searching to do on this matter. I thought I had forgiven, but maybe, I need to do a little more work.
Timing couldn’t be more perfect, or as I like to believe, things happen for a reason. Tuesday, I went to breakfast with my friend Leslie, and we were talking, and I was telling her how I want to learn more about Buddhism. My friend Jeannie practices it and I’ve always been drawn to its teachings and way of life. Leslie reads things on Buddha, and she was telling me about a book that she’s carried with her for a long time now. I told her it sounded interesting and that was it, we went onto something else. Anyway, as I sit her typing this blog, I got a text from Leslie saying she ordered me two books as a gift. “Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Buddhism and Dalai Lama’s little Book of Wisdom.” I can’t wait to get my hands on both.
Sometimes when I look at other teachings and the way things are expressed, things make more sense and I believe these books are coming my way to help me become a better person. I also believe when we surround ourselves with people of like thinking, positive thinking, we become more like them. Buddha always has great insight to forgiving too. Timing couldn’t be better.
Living here in the lake, I’ve found a group of friends who are positive, upbeat and always finding the good in others. I only found one friend like that in San Digeo and she’s a true gem in my life. I was talking to my Aunt Cathy this morning and she told me that she thinks living in the lake is good for me. She said belonging to club’s that raise money and give back is where I thrive. She was sweet, she said I’ve given so much to her since she’s been in the hospital, and though I don’t see it, she feels like I give to her in unconditional ways and that made my heart so happy to hear that. I see those qualities in my friends, and I can only hope to be as giving as they are.
Did you know that when you practice forgiveness, there are positive health benefits that go along with it? According to Mayclinic.org it says the “health benefits of forgiveness mean, less anxiety, stress and hostility, fewer symptoms of depression, lower blood pressure, stronger immune system, improved heart health, higher self-esteem, healthier relationships, greater spiritual and psychological well-being.”
Sounds like the more we forgive, the more we benefit ourselves and others around us and those we have relationships with. Our spiritual and psychological well-being improves and that’s the best part of it all. To have a greater state of well-being, to have a greater spiritual well-being, that might just be the recipe for a better world. If we all practice forgiving more and less judging, I wonder what the world would look like? Just wondering.
Well guys, I’m going to be saying goodbye for now. I hope you can make this the best day ever and I hope we all can open our hearts, listen and evolve today. Until next time, enjoy your day… Hugs++
Other interesting things to check out:
Have you evolved today? 