Forgiveness

This morning I’m contemplating forgiveness. 

Just as we must forgive the stupid choices made by the characters in a film because they allow for plot development, so must we forgive ourselves for our own poor decisions. To advance the story line of our own lives, we must actually live, which inevitably creates problems. 

I’ve only made two life decisions that have altered my life permanently, all the rest have been reversible. Every morning when I wake up, the world is new again. All of the decisions are available, all of the choices are mine. 

The most important skill in life is definitely forgiveness. Without the ability to forgive ourselves and others, there will always be a barrier between us and happiness. If ever you ask an angry person, they will tell you that their story, but it’s always the same. They refuse to forgive. 

Forgiveness is the secret to happiness, yet people continue to cling to their resentments, failures and hurt. Unable to forgive themselves or others, they essentially choose to be unhappy. We forget that we can’t control anything other than our own feelings, and we forget the importance of forgiveness. 

Once we stop thinking that we can control the world around us with our unique blend of emotions, we can let go of our resentments and experience happiness. I’ve spent some time recently practicing the powerful art of powerlessness. 

Without the illusion of control, we have no use for upset. If we submit to the idea that our upset has no impact, we are free. Once we accept and forgive, we can be at peace with everything and everyone. 

We may not like our own choices or the choices other people make, but if we can forgive them, we can be happy. Focusing our anger and frustration on things that we cannot control (everything), brings nothing but our own unhappiness. 

So on thanksgiving, I am grateful for all of the good in my life, and I am forgiving the rest. Peace is attainable only when we control the one thing we actually do have control over (ourselves), and that requires ample strength that should be reserved for exercising the forgiveness required to enjoy life. 

To err is human; to forgive is divine.