Going beyond forgiveness

While forgiveness much healthier than unforgiveness, after having forgiven we can possibly go even deeper.
We can reach a state of true gratitude for what happened.
This is not something to be rushed. It does take time to do it thoroughly.
We may need to grieve. We may need to resolve and express our feelings. One step at a time.
One idea that many people find helpful in achieving this state of gratitude is that everything has advantages and disadvantages in equal measure.
If what we experienced was uncomfortable or painful, we probably grew and gained new strengths from it.
Having experienced that discomfort and pain, now could be the time to put our memory of our discomfort in the past and apply what we learned from the experience that challenged us.

Quote from Mahatma Ghandi

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

More news of forgiveness

Nearly every day I hear more of benefits of forgiveness.
Men and women forgiving their parents thus ending the barriers which were standing in the way of them expressing their appreciation and love for each other.
People discovering that Forgiveness is the key to success in career, health, relationship and the achievement of any goal.
And those who are able to experience much more joy and vitality as they forgive and release themselves from the binds of any bitterness, hatred or other past hurts that they had harbored.

More forgiveness

I have been focussed on other projects, and have learned a few lessons along the way. I see even more clearly how important forgiveness is.
Taking on a new project, I made many mistakes. The leaders and other participants did too.
Having a forgiving attitude, we were all able to enjoy learning from the experience.
Even though the main project was challenging, new and exciting, it was not as deeply satisfying for me as writing about forgiveness.

Forgiving

I felt joyful, peaceful and amazed as I stood on the beach looking out over the bay at sunrise.
Words do not seem to be able to express how wonderful I felt.
As I enjoyed the natural surroundings, I thought about how life could possibly be if I was able to fully forgive.
I imagined being able to enjoy everybody just as they are, doing what they do without me wanting to change anything.
I left that joy for a while as I thought about the way I often experience people. Words like "he shouldn't shout so loudly", "she needs to take her own responsibility" and "I wish he wouldn't spend so much time playing playstation games" came to mind. I did not feel that peace and joy as I thought those words.
I then looked at the sky. Even though some of the clouds were dark, I loved the experienc of looking at the sky just as it is.
I will forgive more.

Forgiveness is freedom.

Many people believe that forgiveness is like telling the person who caused harm that "it is OK".
That is why a lot of people are uninterested in forgiveness.
I believe that forgiveness is giving up the desire for revenge.
I see forgiveness as the act of moving away from playing the powerless role of victim.
To be consistent with that belief, I regularly do "forgiveness exercises".
I read about forgiveness. I spend time with people who forgive.
As I do this, I am less restricted by what happened in the past. I am more free to enjoy the present and create a new future.
I also write about forgiveness. I am inspired by what I hear and read in reply to what I write.

Being around people who have a forgiving attitude

I was thinking about how much I enjoy being around people who are willing to forgive.
Not only do I feel warm experiencing their forgiving attitude. I am also inspired by their willingness to forgive past hurts and grievances.
I see more possibilities for now and for the future as I hear them more focused on the present than the past.
They are more able to create a great future instead of wasting time and energy on expecting their past to be different from the way it was.
Great!
But am I being as forgiving as them?
Some times yes, and other times no.
I am committed to being more forgiving, and am grateful not only for the inspiring examples of forgiving.
I am also thankful for those less forgiving who serve as a warning for me.
Some of them provide opportunities for me to make a difference in their lives by their being open to considering the possibility of forgiveness.