The Freedom of Forgiveness

This morning was one of those mornings where I actually woke up before my alarm.  This could have been because of Jaguar and another cat fighting outside the window.  Or perhaps because Maggie the Boxer raced out the door to see what all of the fuss was about.  Or perhaps even so that I would save my husband from having to hear my 5 am alarm and then me fumbling around for it trying to shut it off.  I am not certain.  What I would like to think is that this morning was to allow my thoughts to rise like the sun.  That I could lift them from slumber to a place of love and light.

Lately I have been dealing with petty drama with my football team.  Most of which being sparked by me and my desire to equate having fun with getting the ball rather than enjoying a beautiful evening surrounded by remarkable women.  I get the message.  In fact I think that I just GOT that message.

Before I get too far into my blog I would like those of you reading this to think of people who are facing a journey up a hill much steeper than yours.  Send them love and light.  In this moment I am holding a woman I never met in my thoughts.  She was just given the message that she has stage four cancer and six months to live.  The enormity of that message is washing over her friends and family like a tsunami.  My wish for them is first for a miracle and that they may find peace, love and comfort in all of this in their own ways.

I am also thinking of a friend's brother who lives in High River.  They just replaced their vehicle that was lost in the flood and four days after their shiny new car was hit by a severe hail storm.  May they find a pleasant surprise coming to them soon.

Another friend recently lost her job, and then had more news that is making her feel like someone is pulling the rug out from beneath her feet.  My wish for her is that she finds her footing and grows through this time rather than just going through it.

________________________________________________

When I wake up early in the morning I am able to watch the sun rise through my kitchen window as I sit before my computer.  This in itself is a blessing.  I am able to enjoy the quiet and serenity that exists before the rest of the house wakes up.

On mornings like this I am able to quickly get my 750 words of writing out of the way and then spend some time in meditation.  When I am meditating I often ask for a message.  These messages are always pertinent to what is happening in my life at that moment. Sometimes I share that message in a blog.  Today I one of those days.

Some days we need to let things go.  Letting go of past hurts will make room for good things to come into our lives.  We often tell ourselves that we can't forgive them because the person did something so egregious that it does not deserve forgiveness.  So we carry this hurt, anger, shame, blame and resentment around with us.  And it weighs on us.  It burdens our heart and our soul.  If we carry it long enough it poisons our thoughts.  We stay in the mindset of a victim.  We make all of our choices from there.  We begin to not trust others.  We no longer give of ourselves and our love freely for we could get hurt again.  We become prisoners.  We blame others for all of the unhappiness and ugliness that surround us.

Today I am going to reflect on my life.  And I am going to look for areas where I am harboring resentment and blame towards another. And I will forgive everyone in my past for all of the perceived wrongs.  I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they were doing all that they could in that moment.  That what they did in that moment was the very best that they could.  And I will forgive them.  I will forgive for my sake.  And I will forgive myself of the things that I have done in my past.  I will relieve myself of all of the feelings of guilt that I am carrying.  I will give myself benefit of the doubt that I was doing the best that I could in that very moment.  And know that the person I am today would not react that same way.  That I do not have to feel guilty about my actions.  That I should celebrate that I have grown into a person who would do something differently in that given situation.  I will put down those burdens and make room for further greatness to flow into my life.

Perhaps reading this you are thinking of areas in your life where you could forgive others and even yourself.  I would love if you would do just that.  You are worthy of greatness.  You are lovable, loving and loved.  You deserve it.

Wishing you a day as Beautiful as you,

Much Love,

Lisa