This is probably one of the most important parts of forgiveness.
Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting; also, when it comes to someone having done something that hurts us, it doesn't mean that suddenly there are no consequences. And I think forgiveness on a large scale -- if someone has cheated, or lied, or abused, or worse -- is a different question that has to do with actual wounds one person causes another.
I think, though, in terms of forgiving ourselves, the "sins" never seem that large. We seem to be always on ourselves for such things as not being organized enough, not getting enough done, losing enough weight, managing enough projects. We are not good enough parents, daughters, friends, sisters. We are, somehow, falling short in our own minds from the place we'd like to see ourselves, and we beat ourselves up about it. And I don't know why we (me included) don't move on more quickly with ourselves, dismissing these simple things like we would if it was our best friend instead of ourselves.
Why is it easier to be kinder to others? Why do I give others the benefit of the doubt but not myself?
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"A desire to move on with your life."
This is probably one of the most important parts of forgiveness.
Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting; also, when it comes to someone having done something that hurts us, it doesn't mean that suddenly there are no consequences. And I think forgiveness on a large scale -- if someone has cheated, or lied, or abused, or worse -- is a different question that has to do with actual wounds one person causes another.
I think, though, in terms of forgiving ourselves, the "sins" never seem that large. We seem to be always on ourselves for such things as not being organized enough, not getting enough done, losing enough weight, managing enough projects. We are not good enough parents, daughters, friends, sisters. We are, somehow, falling short in our own minds from the place we'd like to see ourselves, and we beat ourselves up about it. And I don't know why we (me included) don't move on more quickly with ourselves, dismissing these simple things like we would if it was our best friend instead of ourselves.
Why is it easier to be kinder to others? Why do I give others the benefit of the doubt but not myself?
December 22, 2008 - 10:28amThis Comment
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