I was going through some old things and found this article I wrote about a year ago on the topic of Forgiveness. When i read it over, I realized that it still holds true, even though the news event that inspired it isn’t recent. Here it is, please let me know what you think:

This morning I was watching the Today Show while I was getting ready for work. There was a segment about the Amish people who just went through a horrifying ordeal with a gunman taking their children hostage and killing them before turning the gun on himself. All in a one-room schoolhouse!

The thing that really struck me and made me think I should write about it was the fact that the Amish people who lost daughters are all preaching forgiveness. The interviewers seemed incredulous about the possibility of forgiving such a terrible act and the loss of their children, but I think I understand what they mean.

Forgiveness is not totally an unselfish act. Forgiveness is a very personal thing we do for ourselves, not for the person we forgive. Absolutely not! In fact, they don’t even have to know they have been forgiven for it to make a difference in our lives.

The thing that others find hard to understand is that when you forgive, you don’t negate the pain you feel, nor do you fail to grieve. You simply decide not to let the anger poison you further.

I’ve had some things happen in my life that were extremely hard to forgive. And until I managed to understand and forgive, it was me who suffered, not them. I was the one losing sleep at night from playing the injustices over in my head. I was the one with the upset stomach from the anger. It was me who got the tension headaches, not the offender. In fact, that person probably slept just fine and had no other ailments as a result of their offenses.

It wasn’t until I figured out that to forgive the hurt inflicted doesn’t mean that I have to feel that it was ok for them to do it, or that I would ever give them the chance to hurt me the same way again. It’s just that as long as I stayed angry, I continued to let them have control over me and hurt me.

It was the hardest lesson I think I’ve ever had to learn, but the most worthwhile. Once I learned to forgive, (and it takes practice and if the offense is big enough, it takes a long time) I learned to deal with my pain and then move on. As long as I had stayed angry, I could not release the pain and move on.

No one says that forgiveness happens immediately, or that it’s easy to do. But if you approach even the most difficult and painful of assaults with an attitude of wanting to forgive (not forget…not to stuff the pain and deny it), you can begin to heal the wounds.

I admire the Amish people who, in the aftermath of such horrific tragedy in their lives, understand the value of learning to forgive. They don’t condone the behavior, they still hurt and grieve the loss, they just choose not to let anger prevent them from beginning to heal.

My deepest sympathies go out to them and to anyone who is suffering a huge loss. And I wish you the gift of forgiveness.

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Yesterday, I first became aware of the US Air plane that “crashed” into the Hudson River from a friend on Twitter. It seems that during his commute, he was on one of the ferries in the Hudson River and it had just turned to go help the survivors from the plane. Needless to say, I became riveted to Twitter for a while as the first-hand news came in. (Incidentally, CNN and others didn’t begin to report the plane in the river for another 20 or so minutes…Twitter is fabulous!)

Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III [Photo: newscom.com]

As it became clear the 155 people on board the plane had all survived and had been rescued by a number of nearby ferries, the coast guard and others, it was also clear that the pilot, Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, was a true hero. He acted in seconds in a way that not only kept the plane’s structure intact during the emergency water landing, but made it possible for all on board to make it out alive. And with the water in the Hudson as cold as it was yesterday, just getting out of the plane wasn’t enough to be able to survive, it was also necessary for the passengers and crew to get away from the water and out of the cold as quickly as possible.

What strikes me as amazing in the wake of all this is the fact that Sullenberger seems to be keeping a low profile, as if to convey the message that he simply acted in the line of duty. He hasn’t yet, to my knowledge started to “cash in” on his moment of fame. That shows even more of his character as a real hero.

But Sullenberger’s heroism and amazingly fast actions have not gone unnoticed at all. I just got word that a New York millionaire, Michael Savage, has offered to take the pilot with him as his guest to Tuesday’s Presidential Inauguration. Here’s the press blurb that was sent to me by Savage’s press people:

New York Millionaire Michael Savage of Tax Club is offering to take the hero pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 to the Presidential Inauguration as his guest. As a frequent flyer of US Airways, Mr. Savage would like to express his gratitude for the pilot’s heroism in saving the 155 passengers and crewmembers. The upcoming inauguration is a part of history, and there are hundreds of parties and events in which the pilot would be treated as a rock star for his dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of others.

I hope he accepts the offer and goes to see history made. And I hope he is also honored in some meaningful way during the festivities. Right now, the US can use a hero to be proud of. We need all the positive news we can get. And this man truly deserves all the thanks and praise we can give.

Those are just my two cents. I hope you don’t mind my soapbox.

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Those of us who are seriously hoping for Barack Obama to being the much-needed change that the US needs are still hopeful, and getting a bit more optimistic than ever. For example, the republican pollster who was a guest on Real Time With Bill Maher this week said that he thinks Barack Obama will be our next president.

And if that’s not enough optimism, yesterday, Gen. Colin Powell went on Face the Nation to say that he will be voting for Obama this election. And he’s a long-time republican! He said the thing I agree with 100%, that McCain’s choice of Palin for VP shows his poor judgement.

I’m feeling a bit more optimistic, but still have my fingers crossed. After all, the election’s not over until it’s over…

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A wonderful thing happened this morning. I visited the blog of a fellow blog jolter, Earl, and found this post about his grandfather.

I was totally touched by his account of time spent with his grandfather and memories of my own wonderful grandfather came rushing back. Memories of sitting on his porch in the porch swing at night to hear the tree frogs and crickets and the tree leaves rustling in the breeze. Those were the happiest times of my childhood and he was the most wonderful man I knew…and still is! Every man I’ve known since has had to live up to his example!! And that’s a tall order!!

I still miss him. But today, Earl’s blog brought memories of him back for a few minutes. Thanks, Earl!!

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I came across a wonderful blog written by Rebecca who lives in rural Ireland. Her blog is called An Irish Craftworkers Good Life. In it, she has a post about her children going blackberry picking. First of all, I love the great way she avoids the purple stains on their clothes…she has them wear purple to start with! Very clever! 

The post reminds me of summers on my grandfather’s farm as a kid. My grandmother would give my brother and me a large wash pan to fill and we’d set off blackberry picking. It’s hazardous duty, after all, they have thorns about a half an inch long!

After a while we’d come in the house, covered with purple stains, our arms scratched all over and big purple grins. After all, we HAD to taste test as we went along, right?

Then my grandmother would make us a fresh blackberry cobbler and we’d top it off with Grandpa’s homemade vanilla ice cream. To this day, blackberries bring a smile to my face and remind me of childhood. Thanks, Rebecca, for bringing back these lovely memories today!

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One of the fellow members of the Blogjolt group has a regular feature she blogs about each week. Her name is Jamie and her blog is http://blondemomblog.com/

Apparently, she has been posting a Thankful Thursday item for a while now and I truly love the idea! Here’s her latest one, so you can see what I mean.

Since the way to happiness and prosperity is to start with an attitude of thankfulness, I am going to blog today about the things for which I am thankful.  Here goes (stream-of-consciousness-style)

I am thankful for:

• a good paying “day job” that allows me to live a comfortable lifestyle
• the ability to make and keep the most wonderful friends ever!!  (you all know who you are!)
• that Cindy’s surgery came off ok and that she’s recovering very quickly
• that my son John is nearly finished with college (whew! — more $$$)
• that both of my kids and both of my granddaughters are healthy and doing fine
• the most adorable granddaughters anyone could ever have!!
• my health and the health of my friends
• that it’s finally starting to become fall. I hate the 100 degree weather of the summer!
• that I’ve had several very cool adventures lately and have a couple more coming up
• a fabulous and fun “hobby”…that of making and designing jewelry
• that I have discovered how fun it is to blog
• three completely cute and cuddly “kitty boys”
• new ideas every day
• an occasional martini
• as my grandfather would have put it: that I’m young enough to enjoy some things, but old enough to know better! 
• an update to that: that I know better, but enjoy some things anyway! 
• that, for me anyway, 2006 has been a thousand times better than 2005!!!

I hope each of you take a few minutes to be thankful for the great things in your life today too!

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Last week, I was fortunate enough to finally get to see the movie The Secret with my friend, David. It was highly hyped online long before it was released to the public, but having studied metaphysics for over 20 years, it didn’t look to me like it was anything all that new. But don’t let that stop you from watching it anyway. It’s fast-paced, down-to-earth and practical while imparting what most would consider to be esoteric truths about the Law of Attraction. No one ever is so familiar with this topic to be beyond the benefit of a refresher.

Now, if you don’t know what the Law of Attraction is, you should check out the movie. (Hint: it has nothing to do with joining an online dating service!)

I decided to post about this movie because I ran across this post on the blog, Passion Meets Purpose. Yes, folks, I have now found a blog I intend to read regularly. Kammie, a personal coach, presents many topics that give food for thought and that can pick us up when we need a lift. Take a look at her blog and you’ll see what I mean. Way to go, Kammie!

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