On forgiveness...

I recently ran across a quote by Anne Lamott...

"Forgiveness is giving up all hope of having had a better past."

And the truth in those few words blew me away.  We don't want to accept failure.  We don't want to accept pain--either that which we received or that which we inflicted. Instead we embrace offense as a sheild to protect ourselves...from what?

From seeing ourselves in a way we don't wish to see ourselves. We don't want to be helpless. Or taken advantage of.  We want to be blind to our culpability and participation in how broken the world is.

And yet.  The past really did happen. There is no changing it.  We can only accept. Learn the lessons. Then release the grievance--even when deserved--both toward others and ourselves.

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© Random Cathy
Maira Gall