QOTD #8

[ocelot]

"Forgiveness doesn't change the past ... but forgiveness does change the power of the past to control my present and my future."

Gary Inrig (from his book Forgiveness)

[ocelot]

I find this quote says so much because when you keep a grudge against someone it can simply make you an unhappy person. Things happen and people hurt you, that is a factof life it all depends on how you handle it, you can forgive and move on or hold a grudge and live in the past.

[shavonfan]

Thank you very much, Leona! Great quote! It encourages me to remember that the only way that I can move forward is to let go of what is behind me! But this business of forgiveness is not easy! I also believe it includes not only the decision to forgive others, but also ourselves! And forgiveness is just that....a choice! Leona, you write in your songs about time, and the here and now. Well, the ability to live in the "now" depends a whole lot on the ability to forgive. "Yesterday is gone forever, lost in the recesses of the past. Tomorrow has not yet arrived. So, live this day to the full." To do so requires forgiveness. Excellent thought, and thank you for bringing it up!

[S.C.]

I remember every face. I especially never forget those who have wronged me in some way. I wouldn't say it's a grudge per se, but, I simply cut them completely out of my life and I move on, but, I never ever truly forget. Forgiveness is individual. I find it very hard to forgive those who have wronged me. I am not consumed by hate, but, rather I turn any negative feelings I have into positives. That is my way of dealing with it. It works for me.

[shavonfan]

Well, I have to disagree with you about this, Shavon. But first, you are correct in stating that forgiveness is an individual thing, so in no way am I trying to convince you of anything other than what you already hold to be true. It would be difficult for me to expect a Jewish person to forgive Hitler, and unless I can possibly know and fully understand another person's hurt and just how much wrong has been done to them, I have absolutely no right to judge. Now that I have established all that, I hope not to offend in stating that "FORGIVENESS, to me, IS THE POSITIVE that comes from any situation that requires it." Today at work I cut my finger, but did not cut off my hand because of it! I cleaned it, bandaged it, and now await the complete healing of it. In life, the wounds we endure serve as opportunities TO LEARN and TO GROW. Furthermore, forgiveness stands as the proof of our ability to love. To say that you refuse to forgive is to say that the wrong done is more important than the love for the person. Love endures, and conquers all this. True love anyway. Besides, my experience with unforgiveness has taught me that the only person who suffers is the one who doesn't forgive! Okay, all that said.....I respect you tremendously, Shavon! And Leona, thanks again for the great quote (in my opinion), because I had to use it today at work. It came in handy, but not without the usual conflict within myself to do so!

[S.C.]

I'll reiterate, forgiveness is individual.

[shavonfan]

Point well taken