Alexander Pope, the 18th century poet, famously said “to err is human to forgive, divine.” I have a question for you, how forgiving are you? Do forgive easily – bygones being bygones or do you hold grudges? Can you forgive some transgressions and not others? Can you forgive yourself? Forgiveness is not acceptance or approval. It is a state of mind wherein you stop punishing the transgressor for whatever she may have done. This includes you. When you forgive, you release yourself from the hold that offense has over you. You release yourself. Who do you need to forgive? Do you need to forgive yourself? As you go through your day today, forgive those who do you wrong. Forgive the driver who cut you off on the highway. Forgive your doctor who is running late for your appointment. Forgive yourself if you ate or acted mindlessly. See how forgiveness makes you feel. Then, when you are ready, forgive those who have truly wronged you, including yourself. Adapted from Mindful Bites – Joyful Life: 365 Days of Mindful Eating. Available in bookstores everywhere.
Forgiveness
