Practice The Presence: Practice Forgiveness Part 1

Well soon this series will be completed. I have only the following to do:

• 
  Practice The Presence: Practice Forgiveness Part 1


• Practice The Presence: Practice Forgiveness Part 2


• Practice The Presence: Practice Letting Go


• Practice The Presence: Practice Grabbing Hold


• Practice The Presence: Practice, Practice, Practice

I was inspired to write this particular excerpt because the words that I heard Oprah Winfrey quote many years ago. I thought that they were her words. Although whose words really are original. Our words are only original on in that we can make them personal to our own lives. She was quoting James Ray when she was asked about her take on Forgiveness.

If you know anything about Oprah, you will know that she has not always lived a privileged and wealthy life. Some of her biography is listed at this site (OPRAH’S LIFE). She has grown through many battles and received many battle scars from poverty, abuse, prejudice and other ups and downs in her roller coaster’d life. I don’t remember who it was who asked her, but when she responded about her take on forgiveness it was this quote:

“Thank you for giving me that experience. That’s true forgiveness.”

Can you see it? Look again: Thank you…..FOR-GIVING me that experience. It’s a phrase that’s stuck in my mind and has never let go since that day. Over the last few years my journey in this life has been on the roller coaster ride that says:

“Ride here…you will be hurt, slandered, beaten both mentally and physically, ruined and hurt some more…Board the ride here!!!” 

I have been accused of being too weak, too compassionate, too nice, too generous, too forgiving. And you know what? I’m glad. Because I learned from my heroine that day that forgiveness was not about the other guy…it’s about me! Yes I’ve been hurt. Yes I’ve been beaten down. Yes I’ve even had to take time off to deal with stuff. And if it hadn’t done all that, then it would only show me as either totally aloof or disconnected from reality. It’s good that we feel angry, sad, furious even! It’s normal! It’s part of the grief cycle. God gave us these emotions for a reason. They are part of the purging process…of letting go of the past. But the most important step after all is said and done….is forgiveness. Not some platitude splattered on the wall of life. Not some nice letter or card sent to someone who has perhaps devastated us or just caused us some little inconvenience.

It’s about saying THANK YOU. Thank you for being part of what has shaped me into who I am today. 

When Michelangelo carved the statue of the David around 1500 he had to use a chisel (more than one I’m sure) and hammer. He didn’t do it with a little gingerly push here or there, no! He had to slam that stone and break it and shape it into the piece of art that is still in existence more than 500 YEARS later!!!!

So next time you are tempted to curse someone for something hateful or hurtful, feel those feelings – don’t ignore them. Then let them go when you’re ready and grant forgiveness, Thank you for giving me this experience.

Practice The Presence: Practice Forgiveness Part 1