"Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different." Oprah Winfrey
"Hurt people hurt people." Rabbi Yehuda Berg
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." Plato
"A kind word and forgiveness is better than charity followed by hurt." Quran 2:263
"Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times'.'' Matthew 18:21-22
I wanted to start this blog entry with a quote or two on the theme of forgiveness, kindness and compassion. However, I came across so much good stuff, I decided to put them all here. I figured this is a special blog, so why not, right?
Today, I have officially surrendered my "49er" jersey (an American football reference), and have embraced living on planet Earth for half a century. Saying it like that makes me sound ancient! Jokes aside, I did have some anxiety in the beginning, as the day was approaching. After my therapy session yesterday morning, I have a better perspective as to why I was feeling like that and how to let go.
What I have learned in my short time here, especially very recently, is that forgiveness truly does set one free. I only knew the concept academically at best; that it was a good thing. It was always my view that forgiveness, kindness and compassion lets the person who hurt you (or at least tried to hurt you) "off the hook." Nothing could be further from the truth. It let's YOU off the hook. That hook being our attachment to our comfort zone of negativity, resentment, comparison, dissatisfaction, narcissism, and sheer misery.
Today, I'll make it both productive and fun. I plan to continue my grind, while practicing self-care. I'm thinking maybe a haircut, buy some running shoes, look for a park that has a pull-up bar, eat some tacos (it's also Taco Tuesday), and hit up a bar for some drinks with some new friends I've made, since moving to my new place. While I won't reveal my goals and what I want to achieve, I can tell you that all the things that have happened or didn't happen to or for me, has prepared me for my new chapter to unfold. I am grateful for that!
May we all embrace change, the challenges, and the rewards that comes with it.
AMOR FATI
Thank you and good night.
P.S. This is my haircut that I got today from a local barbershop, in case anyone is wondering what I look like now lol.
