Thoughts On Forgiveness.

To forgive is divine - we are told.

Resentment and hatred leads to heartache and dis-ease.
Yet, how can we set aside the pain that others cause ?
Or, just as importantly, forgive OUR own selfish, greedy actions from the past ?

It is as difficult, or as easy, as we make it.

Looking back at my own troubles, it is clear that I enjoyed feeling miserable, or, at least, comfortable with my angst.
When things didnt run smooth, I could whine 'bigger boys' and blame others.
No-one to blame ?
Then I could whine 'poor me' and play the hapless 'victim'.

In all cases, I did not accept RESPONSIBILITY.

It is I and I alone who is responsible for my desires, deeds and emotions.
No-one else.
Two thirds of my life was spent making mistakes;
unconscious actions, without thought or regard.
I choose differently nowadays.

My deeds, even the majority of my words are chosen carefully.
I respect ALL and choose to offend NONE.
I am content with my self.
Only possible, by no longer beating myself up and FORGIVING my past.
Yes, it took time.
Time to understand, that if my actions in life caused no pain - I would feel no personal pain.
Simple.

Learning how to FORGIVE myself, however, was far easier than to FORGIVE others.
To FORGIVE others who have done wrong against Us, or the world does NOT mean that we forget.
Nor does it mean we have to welcome them back into our lives and hearts.

If people have hurt Us, for no other reason than because they can, they WILL suffer.
Their future guilt/karma begins to manifest as soon as we FORGIVE them.
When we FORGIVE we remove the Darkness that others have wanted for us.
They remain Dark while we step back into the Light.

So I believe.