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Comment on Forgiveness: Who Is It Really For? by Loch Linnhe

Loch Linnhe — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:33:16 +0000

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Comment on Introspection + Extrospection by Jennifer Woodard

Jennifer Woodard — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:46:35 +0000

Joanne,

I absolutely agree that you have to look within and without to find happiness. It minds the old saying “No man is an island.” I totally agree, I know I can’t live in this world alone and do not want to, I just make sure to watch who I allow within my space.

Jenn

Comment on Forgiveness: Who Is It Really For? by Joanne

Joanne — Tue, 04 May 2010 04:58:12 +0000

Maria, you put this beautifully – freedom does lie on the other side of forgiveness. No matter how badly someone hurts us, if we don’t forgive, all our thoughts and actions are tainted by whatever ugliness took place. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning; it just means setting ourselves free.

Comment on Forgiveness: Who Is It Really For? by Maria A

Maria A — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:04:18 +0000

Several years ago I faced the momentous challenge of forgiving someone who had hurt me and my family deeply. It took me a while, but I learned the incredible lesson that forgiveness is the first step to letting go.

I learned that it’s absolutely necessary to let go of anger, hating, feeling wronged and even obsession with the person and the actions before you can feel unburdened and healthy again. The gift at the end was more than I ever expected: a joyous, almost euphoric, feeling of freedom, of rising above and moving beyond, and of choosing the higher road. It’s more than worth the struggle.

Comment on Why we are grieving about tomorrow... by Joanne

Joanne — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:13:59 +0000

I believe he did say grieving, although I wasn’t there. But I think his older brother said it first. I, too, hope he holds on to that wisdom. He’s a sensitive soul, so I think he will.

What you shared about your dreams about your brother after his death, and your realization that you can have that magical moment of literally holding your loved ones NOW, in the moment, even though you can no longer experience that directly with your brother is beautiful.

And you are right – when we are truly in the moment, we can turn fear into joy. Thank you for sharing!

Comment on Forgiveness: Who Is It Really For? by Joanne

Joanne — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:44:39 +0000

Sarah, I love the idea of delving more into forgiving oneself, and will work on a blog entry on that topic. I think it’s harder to forgive ourselves because we hold ourselves to a higher standard than we do others. One way Monkey Mind (the Tibetan term for all the self-defeating chatter that goes on in our minds) shows up is in our comparing our insides (WHO we are) to other people’s outsides (who we THINK others are). I think the trouble with self-forgiveness might be related to this.

I also love the concept of putting down a burden and walking away from it seems like it would feel really good. Thank you for that visual!

Comment on Why we are grieving about tomorrow... by Sarah M.

Sarah M. — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:09:32 +0000

Did he really say “grieving”? At 8 years old? Wow. I think I was mostly thinking about puppies and piano when I was that age.

Seriously, though, I hope he can hang on to that wisdom as time passes – he’s lucky to have a loving aunt who understands and will be there to remind him if he needs it.

This topic means a lot to me, personally. My lesson in this happened when I experienced a lot of loss in a short period of time, including the death of my brother. After his death, I had several dreams in which I was able to hug him again, and tell him how very much I love him. I would give anything to be able to do that again, even for the briefest of moments.

I realized then that I have that moment now, with those who are still here, as long as those I love are alive and able to feel my touch and hear my words. I started to try to remember to think of every moment as if it was that moment in my dreams – when I manage this, time expands, fear turns to joy, and even a very short time becomes an incredible gift.

Comment on Forgiveness: Who Is It Really For? by Sarah M.

Sarah M. — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:38:24 +0000

Very thought provoking! I especially love the quote about drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. I also think it really makes a difference to realize that forgiving is not forgetting.

I wonder if there could be some other word that would have bear less of a burden of prior association. I like the concept of putting down a burden – I think that’s what it’s all about.

Perhaps we carry grudges around because we are still waiting to feel heard and validated? If so, I wonder if there is some way to address that need as part of the letting go process?

Could you write about forgiving oneself? I’d like to hear your thoughts on that difficult subject.

Thanks!

Sarah

Comment on Why we are grieving about tomorrow... by Lisa Mark

Lisa Mark — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:00:18 +0000

very true words. since my illness i’ve tried to do exactly this. am i successful? not as much as i’d like to be, but more than i have been in the past. kudos to your nephew for knowing this intuitively. most of us have to learn it as we go through life. life…the ultimate teacher.

Comment on Why we are grieving about tomorrow... by Ingrid

Ingrid — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:58:51 +0000

A wise little man, your nephew. Hopefully he remembers that during his teen years when he’s stressing about girls and the like;-)