Forgiveness is two-fold. A person must be inclined to forgive one’s self. An individual who’s unable to forgive one’s self throughout life’s journey, will forever be hounded and weighed down upon. The inability to forgive one’s self will hamper the ability to forgive another, for how can one forgive another if they are unwilling or unable to forgive themselves. True forgiveness is born from within, and as such, draws one’s gaze toward the individual self, the individual being. As in love, one must be willing to forgive oneself prior to forgiving another.
The second part of forgiveness needs to be approached with true empathy and understanding. Once an individual has been able to successfully forgive themselves, especially for the wrongs they have committed toward themselves in life’s journey, theny they are able to go outside of themselves and attempt to forgive another or ask for forgiveness from another. Life’s most humbling journey is when one can acknowledge a wrong committed against one’s-self or another and truly forgive the wrongdoer (be they the individual themselves, another, a community of people, society or even God).
Forgiveness leads to healing. Forgiveness leads to understanding. Forgiveness leads toward redemption. Forgiveness leads to faith. Forgiveness leads to LOVE (caritas). True forgivess breaks down all barriers and leaves one naked before the other or self. To ask for forgiveness a person must know what it is like to forgive. To forgive one must know what it is like to be forgiven.
Forgiveness is a way of life. It brings renewal in times of despair. It brings hope in times of crisis. It brings solitude in times of loneliness. It brings solace in times of hurt. Like LOVE, true forgivess does not envy, boast, or hold qualms. True forgiveness brings understanding and awareness. Its the acknowlegement of some sort of wrongdoing and moving on, moving forward.
Some people and scholars would argue that true forgiveness is a fallacy. Others would argue that in order to achieve True Forgiveness one must be willing to forget. I argue that true forgiveness allows us to understand and learn from the worng done to one’s self or another. In order for this to work, forgiveness continually needs to be renewed and rejuvenated. Forgivess draws its true inspiration from love and yet its true goal is love.
If we recall the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32):
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ’Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17"When he came to his senses, he said, ’How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21"The son said to him, ’Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]’ 22"But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27’Your brother has come,’ he replied, ’and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ’Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31" ’My son,’ the father said, ’you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
In the Prodigal Son, we see that the youngest son, needed to come to forgive himself first. This forgiveness, allows him to come to the awareness that leads him back home. Ultimately the father is able to forgive the son and take him back in. The eldest son’s inability to forgive himself and live with jealosy toward his brother does not allow him to face the reality lying before him and forgive his brother.
How many times to we look down at ourselves and don’t forgive ourselves for our actions and wrong doings to ourselves? How many times do we dwell upon the momemts of life--however insignificant they may seem--that seem to rob us of our true happiness and love? How many times are we unable to forgive those close around and closest to us--many times for being themselves? How many times are we unwilling to swallow our own pride and ask for forgiveness, especially when we know we’re in the wrong?
The inablity to forgive ourselves and others, and ask for forgiveness from ourselves and others robs us of our passions, loves, joys, time. That inability leaves with doubt, fear, regret failure and disappointment. To forgive is Divine. Forgivenesss helps us to transcend from the physical to the metaphysical realm. Forgiveness brings us ever closer to God. It is one of the few human actions that asks us to heal physical, emotional, and psychological hurts. Since its an action that requires both internal and external actions, it forces us to another realm. To forgive is not a natural human act, but one that if born from the right "chispa" can bring much healing in all the areas of our lives.
With this said, I want to genuinely ask for forgiveness from those I’ve transgressed, hurt, disappointed and let down. I am truly sorry and apologize for any wrong doings I may have committed against you. However, insignificant it may have seemed at the time, I know it was cause of much paing or hurt to you and I am sorry. I hope that you may find it in you to forgive me. I pray that you may find comfort, healing, solace and closure for my inadequacies and the hurt that I may have caused, either consciously or unconsciously.
Likewise, I want to forgive those who have caused hurt and pain in someway or another. I have learned much throughout life and have learned that even in moments of hurt and pain, true healing cannot begin to take place until I can forgive those moments in my life. I pray that you may one day find it in you to forgive yourself for your actions and may find comfort in knowing that you have been forgiven.
Sincerely,
Full of Wisdom
P.S.-- "Carpe Diem--SEIZE the DAY." Seize every opportunity you have and make the best of it.
Disclaimer: These blogs are all original works are resulting from of inspiration, many years of study, contemplation and personal reflection, prayer, life experiences, and encounters with others (be they personal or professional encounters). Please feel free to use the material as needed, but give credit accordingly. Who knows when or where these works might turn out. Plagiarism is a true crime. Also feel free to let me know what you think and how I am doing. Thanks. Full of Wisdom.
