The Gift of Forgiveness

    A dear friend recently shared a personal story about a deep healing that changed her heart in ways she could only imagine. As life so often offers, deep wounds can cut us to the core and leave us feeling a deep void in our hearts that leaves an emptiness in our lives. 
     It takes great courage to reach out to the ones we have hurt and disappointed through choices we made. It's also a daunting task to truly discern what choice is best for those we love when we feel a "call" or "nudge" to do something completely contrary to the basic beliefs we know to be true. And, yet, the often unrelenting beckoning continues to get our attention.
    The choice is always a personal one, and, yet, it also effects the lives of those we love. I guess that is what life is all about; carefully discerning the path ahead while considering the consequences on those we love. It is always about honoring our inner compass and having the faith to move forward. 
     When a deep love connects people, the relationship may take a bit of a nose dive; however, a new one can be created if we are determined to keep our hearts open. With understanding, honest communications and an unrelenting belief of those relationships, healing can and will occur. That is where forgiveness becomes a Gift. If we will use our past as a reference point, we can look over our shoulder, see what we learned, then bring that wisdom into the present situation. If we drag around old wounds and the stories we told ourselves, we will stay stuck in the past and never fully live in the moment. We will always have a place in our heart that is missing something.
      My teacher used to say, "Use Death as an Advisor."  Those words are very powerful. Consider for a moment, if there are old wounds in your life that it is time to bring out of the darkness of hurt or confusion and bring to the light of Love. There is no greater Freedom then to have the courage to say, "please forgive me," or "I forgive you."  This is how we open the door to fully BE in life, rather than go through the mechanics of life.  Through this powerful, courageous act, we can feel the depth of love, joy, and liberation that only forgiveness of ourselves and others can offer.  It is truly a Gift to each person's heart and everyone in their lives. What a powerful way to change the world! It is there that personal freedom becomes Freedom for All!