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Philosophy of Forgiveness |
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Creating Your Personal Journey
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The most powerful tool that human beings possess to eliminate the clouds and conflicts in their minds that block the flow of abundance and prosperity is Forgiveness. Before we can apply forgiveness to our grief and grievances, however, we must dispel some myths about forgiveness. In our culture, forgiveness is usually seen as a sign of weakness. Our movies, generally, perceive an individual in fear approaching an individual in power with cries of mercy and forgiveness. Or, we may see a spouse seeking forgiveness from a mate for a perceived indiscretion. In almost every case forgiveness, in our society, is intended to release the offender from the feeling of guilt. We view forgiveness as a way for two people or two groups of people to settle disputes. The means of Forgiveness, however, are so much more. In an article for Lifetime titled ‘Forgive and Feel Better’, Jeanann Pannasch wrote, “In a recent study, Charlotte Witvleit, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, found that when individuals were able to forgive, they experienced greater joy, a more profound sense of control over life and less depression. Sound appealing?”. She goes on to quote Everett L. Worthington Jr., Ph.D., executive director of A Campaign for Forgiveness Research who said, “But grudge-holding only gives us the illusion of power. If you hold on to that anger on a chronic basis, then it has power over you, eating away at your peace of mind and perhaps even your immune system. Without seeming to usurp the meaning in the words of Jeanann Pannasch, the key difference between our common attitude toward forgiveness and what she writes is in the place of emphasis. Our common attitude assumes that forgiveness is more beneficial to the person asking for forgiveness. Jeanann Pannasch places the emphasis on the person giving forgiveness. Her interpretation represents the most powerful use of forgiveness. When we grant forgiveness, we release from within ourselves some form of fear, hate, anger, and guilt. We make room within us for more love to enter. Forgiveness is equally beneficial to the giver and to the receiver. But the giver has far more discretion on how forgiveness may be used in his or her life, and, that is where the power of forgiveness lies. Power of Forgiveness One of my greatest experiences with forgiveness came with no verbalization. One day my wife decided to go shopping at the mall. When she had finished shopping, at about 7 PM, she came out of the mall and began to search for her car. As she approached the space in the parking lot, she did not see her car. She looked everywhere. She then decided to ask Mall Security to help locate her car. The car could not be found. It was gone! She called home very upset. At the time, I had been reading about and testing forgiveness. I thought, ‘Now don’t panic’. As I set out to pick up my wife at the mall, I began to think of an unorthodox way to handle the situation. Why not try forgiveness. I began to focus on forgiveness for all involved in the situation.
Did it work? Of course, I can’t say for sure. But I believe it did. That night, we got a call from a police officer. It was 10 PM. The police officer asked me to come to the police station. The police had found my wife’s car. It was not damaged. The person taking the car from the mall had made a mistake and taken the wrong car. The next morning we went to the police station. Our car was parked in front of the police station. We drove away free of any conflict. Forgiveness Reversed Our view of forgiveness is, generally, the reverse of its reality. We view forgiveness as more beneficial to the receiver. But it is far more beneficial to the giver. Forgiveness is the means given to us to clear the debris and sludge that we introduce in our mind. Forgiveness, as we apply it within, unclogs the pathways that our thoughts take through universal energy. It clears our vision so that we may see the truth more clearly. You can go within and give forgiveness to all minds throughout the world for all their fear, hatred, anger, and guilt and your peace of mind will increase. You can go within and ask for forgiveness from anyone you believe you have offended and you will receive forgiveness. Help Clear All Conflict Forgiveness is the means to solve all acts of violence and war. Over time, when forgiveness is used by enough people the cycle of violence will be broken. In the meantime, anyone who goes within and uses forgiveness as a solution to a conflict will help to resolve the conflict. Wherever you go, each day, give forgiveness within to those that you encounter. As the days go by, your surroundings will become more calm and peaceful. You can use forgiveness to free yourself from conflict on a daily basis. If you are driving down the highway and the drivers behind you are following to closely, give them forgiveness. The driver will withdraw to a safe distance. If someone in the office is agitated, give them forgiveness. Invariably, the individual will calm down. Try it at your next business meeting. Forgiveness is the most powerful tool because it opens our communication path to the universal energy. Every time we have a conflict, a disagreement, a negative thought we introduce confusion in our thinking. Our clarity diminishes. Our perception is distorted. And, therefore, our actions are misguided. Forgiveness is the means provided to us to clear all conflict, confusion, and misperception. We come closer to the truth and our decisions are better and more soothing. Jeanann Pannasch, in the article for Lifetime concluded by writing, “The bottom line: Forgiving ultimately benefits the forgiver more than the person who has done wrong. So start putting your own well being first, and live life with as much gusto and love as you can.” Forgiveness is the greatest tool for peace that we have. If forgiveness is utilized properly, and, if everyone used forgiveness daily, worldwide peace would be achieved in 4 to 5 years.
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Forgiveness clears the trees that block the light!
It Lets your thoughts pass through effortlessly!
It
Keeps
your path clear and filled with beauty!
And
builds a bridge to peace and joy!
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