Thursday, August 12, 2010

I have been away for far too long . . . long post to follow!

Hello dear friends,

I find it is time again for me to post . . . . something.  It seems ironic to me that the times I feel most inspired are also (more often than I'd like) the times when I am not able to share my inspiration, whether because of time constraints, or other responsibilities.  So I'm attempting a few moments here to catch and gather my thoughts again and see how I can share them.  If I ramble some, please forgive me and know I'm happy to be back here!

I've been reading the posts of a couple of very, very good friends of mine.  They inspire me to think more than most of us tend to think -- I think.  That was way too many thinks!  Anyhow, more deeply I should say.  I have always enjoyed thinking deeply . . . . "profoundly."  It's too much for some, I've gathered, through conversations in which I confess that I think "a lot" and "intensely" and they confess that they prefer not to think so much or so intensely.  I don't mind their choice to think less, so long as it doesn't hurt them or endanger anyone else. But I'm not even referring to thinking as a means of protection, or of "common sense."  I'm referring to thinking more as a means to understanding, enlightenment, musing.  I like to think simply to think -- although once in a while, I wish I didn't think so much or so hard.  :)   Part of the package, I suppose.

Anyhow, I was thinking yesterday, yet again, of how life can take such a turn.  For most, a turn for the best is always appreciated.  But sometimes, it seems it takes a turn for the worst.  People lose jobs, lose money, or worst of all, lose someone they love. It is one thing to lose someone you care about or at least, once cared about, through no fault of your own.  Yet some people choose to "lose" a loved one through their own actions, their own spite, their own selfishness, their own greed.  It is entirely possible to "lose" a person through means beside the death of the natural body.  You can lose a person by choosing your own way all the time, by treating them in a rude and inconsiderate manner, by neglecting them, or even, most simply and yet profoundly, by never admitting you could be wrong, never saying "I'm sorry."  I think it's a fact we all have been wrong at least once in our lifetime.  I know I have been. And I've been at fault for not seeing the light and apologizing promptly and authentically.

But would I want to lose someone I love simply through pride and stubborness? Absolutely not.  I seek every day to look inwardly, and to check the state of my heart and my attitude.  Some days I feel I make leaps and bounds toward positive growth and positive state of mind, heart, and attitude.  Some days, I feel like a rotten scoundrel that doesn't deserve to be loved.  It's on those days that I have to gently and yet firmly remind myself, the truth is, not one person "deserves" to be loved. We have all trespassed against each other and, I believe, against God. If we were to love anyone -- including our own selves -- based upon how "good" or how "just" or how "compliant to man's rules" one is -- we would all sink before we'd swim. It's a fact.

All to say, next time someone does you wrong, speaks ill of you, offends you, neglects you, or outright abandons or betrays you  . . . . hard as it is (and yes, it is VERY VERY hard), try to remember that you were once -- or will at sometime in your life be -- that same person. The one who didn't apologize, didn't forgive, didn't put themselves in the others' place, abandoned or betrayed the one who loved them so.  And do all you can to forgive them. Forgive, yes forgive, even your own self. Learn and move on. Because forgiveness, my friends, albeit the most difficult thing to do sometimes, is the key to true healing.  If you forgive, somehow, almost magically I suppose, the power of evil to control you or to harm you is suddenly deflected.  You may still experience hurt at times.  But you will not be controlled by those who harm you -- intentionally and unintentionally.  And you will be free.

Have a blessed day!

No comments:

Post a Comment