Forgiveness Part Two

Usually when forgiveness is discussed in our culture it is related to the topic of forgiving others, not holding grudges.
The magnitude of the act of forgiveness is great:
When we forgive others for past mistakes, hurts, even betrayals, we can move more fully into alignment with the present and we can find more peace, love, and contentment.And don't we all need more of those three things?

However, it is not always easy to forgive others. Especially when we have held onto a massive hurt for many years. The 'grudge' can almost become part of our identity or can justify the reason we no longer can trust/communicate with/love another person.

I am convinced that there are many roads to forgiving another, and that each person must take the path that works for him/her.

I will share two roads to forgivenss that I have taken:

1. Gratitude- What lessons did you learn from your interactions with the person who wronged you/abandoned you/ect.? Did you learn what not to do? Were there positive things about your relationship before the falling out? How can this experience make you a stronger or wiser person?

2. Separate the person you are angry into two entities: his/her human part and his/her spiritual part. Can you embrace the notion that the transgression was done by the person's Ego (or false self, or nasty human side) and NOT by his/her spirit?
The key to forgiveness is love!
Can you embrace or love the person's spirit?

Forgiving another person who has hurt you or someone you care about is not easy.
But when you reach forgiveness, there is a release, a relief, that is worth the journey.
And you are worth it.

Need more inner peace?

It sounds easy, doesn't it- "Relax" "Chill out" "Let it go"
"Hop back in the Sea of Grace!"

But sometimes it is not that easy. We are not at peace. We are stressed out or uncomfortable with an issue within ourself or with another person. Something in life just isn't working.

At these times, it can be helpful to consider the F word:
FORGIVENESS

I noticed in my work this week that I was getting agitated and self critical because my mind was telling me that I was not being "effective" enough. Now I work in a field that is just as much art as it is science; hence judgments of effectiveness are often subjective. But that is beside the point.

I tried yoga. I tried meditation. But the Aha! moment really arrived (and was probabaly aided by the former two)when I considered forgiveness.
Have I adequately forgiven myself for past mistakes along my learning curve as a professional? And my learning curve of life?
Am I forgiving myself daily for my human imperfections?

For anyone who has struggled with perfectionism, I recommend a daily double mantra,
"Today I will try my best to fulfill my purpose in this life and to treat others and myself with respect, love and dignity."
AND
"I forgive myself for the judgement that I must be 'perfect' and I forgive myself for past mistakes. Instead I find gratitude in struggles and challenges, knowing
that they often lead to GROWTH."

Go in peace and self forgiveness, my friends.

Sea of Grace

Flowing in a divine current of peace
Swimming in the sea of grace....

Doesn't this sound better than:
Frustration with problem A,
Pushing to achieve item B,
Thinking and overthinking current circumstances and/or where you want to be in life?

Instead of flowing with life's current, we often struggle against what is happening in our lives. I have been trying to figure out why as humans we do this....
One culprit may be our powerful and active minds-- always thinking, questioning, wanting something more.
Often the Mind dislikes an issue or circumstance, even when we are perfectly safe and fine.
"No! I wanted that, not this!"
Or the Mind sets artificial timelines and feels disappointed:
"I should be promoted by now," or
"affluent by now", or
"married by now", etc...

This can lead to the following unhealthy conditions:
-being frozen in fear or indecision
-forcing an outcome or trying to control another person
-loss of touch with the present; restlessness and anxiety

I speak the following words as much for myself as for you. I bless you and love you.
If you find that you have lost your peace and are resisting "what is" because your mind keeps telling you what "should" be....Take a deep breath, tell the voice to please be quiet,

Hop back in the Sea of Grace;
The water is warm,
And it is waiting for you.

True Beauty

In a world of overwhelming visual stimuli-- billions of people, media, social messages pushing us to conform to a "look"
that is unattainable, unhealthy or expensive for most people to achieve...
I have recently been asking,

What is true beauty?

Our physical appearances can be admired, overlooked, or abhorred-
But the truth is
We are talking about a bunch of cells that make up the human body-
Cells that literally started from one single cell, minute and invisible.
And one day our cells reach the end of their life span and dissolve,
To dust
To earth

I have wasted a lot of time, deceived by society's misunderstandings.
Yep, if you can relate to this you know-
That when we believe our value lies in our appearance,
We come up short,
Empty.

Why?
Because looking "perfect" is not really beautiful!
Even if you inherited the genes of a super model, you may suffer until you realize that true beauty is not something seen with the human eye.
It is not material;
Anything material has a shelf life, right?
Ashes to ashes

Real beauty is not how you measure up to society's strict cellular standards,
But rather a force of goodness you feel
Deep within
The true self, or the human spirit
Is eternally beautiful!

Real beauty is making peace with the body God gave you and
Knowing your uniqueness,
Your spirit
Your purpose here on earth

If this is still a struggle for you, I can relate.
And I assure you it is ok.
Just keep working to get there.
Take some time to admire your uniqueness, your heart, the love you offer to others.
Get to know yourself better. Be proud of who you are.

Believe me when I say that you are the holder of great beauty.
True beauty.