“We may think forgiveness isn’t necessary, or that it might be seen as a sign of failure if we forgive.
But even the best of relationships among family members, friends, and lovers, because of everyone’s
subtly different desire systems, the matrix of wants and needs that underlie the personality,
may well have some slight unfinished business —
that is, forgiveness — that needs tending to.
Life is a relationship;
openness and kindness keep it dynamic.
Forgiveness keeps our life current.”
~~ Stephen Levine, Unattended Sorrow: Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart
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- Ask Me Anything: Thoughts on Buddhism? Ctd (andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com)
I agree; forgiving people , and yourself, is never easy, but once you allow yourself to let go – it becomes the best feeling in the world!!
Totally on the money! We not only change the lives of the people we forgive and ourselves but we change the whole world when we let go of the harshness, when we can have space in our hearts. It is the best thing for the world.
Thanks for following and taking the time to reply!
great post. thanks.
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Forgiving is NEVER easy, but are the best things in life ever really easy? I don’t think so 🙂
Thanks for the Levine quote – it’s really beautiful. Have you read Unattended Sorrow? It sounds like something I’d like, and I’ve been looking for another inspirational read since I finished “Forgiving the Unforgivable” by Master Charles Cannon (incidentally a great book on forgiveness and spirituality – http://forgivingtheunforgivable.com).
Yes, I have read it and enjoyed it. I have actually quoted from it here a time or two and have some upcoming blogs that I use quotes from.
And I have always loved The Grief Process by the Levines and have used it with clients. Glad you enjoyed the blog.
Peace, Jennifer