First… here is number seven on our list of “Happy Things”…
7. Learn to forgive. –
Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being. You see,
your mind doesn’t know the difference between past and present emotion.
When you ‘hate’ someone, and you’re continuously thinking about it, those
negative emotions are eating away at your immune system. You put yourself
in a state of suckerism (technical term) and it stays with you throughout your
day.
And… would you believe there is even
an Institute of Forgiveness! Dr. Robert D. Enright is the founder
of The “International Forgiveness Institute” located in Madison, Wisconsin. Their Mission is “Dedicated to
helping people gain knowledge about forgiveness and to use that knowledge for
personal, group, and societal renewal”.
The IFI is an outgrowth of the social
scientific research done at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 1985 by
Dr. Robert Enright and his colleagues. Professor Enright was looking for a way
to disseminate the findings of that research, and the research and writings by
others exploring forgiveness, to interested people in all walks of life. The
IFI has served as that forum ever since.
As a teacher… I find this to be profoundly important for our students… I think I have mentioned before that I was a Montessori trained teacher while living in California… Maria Montessori lectured and wrote many articles and books throughout her life time.. Montessori spoke on Peace and Education at the Second International Montessori Congress in Nice, France; this lecture was published in 1932 and is one of my most treasured books… “Education And Peace”… Maria Montessori went on to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize a total of six times.
After exploring Dr. Enright’s
site… I would highly recommend taking a look at it… I have to say it is very
comforting to know that there are so many people out there seeking and
promoting peace!
Which brings us full circle my
friends… What are you doing in your own life concerning forgiveness??? I will tell you the truth… Sometimes it is easier
said than done! Just today I was talking
to my sister (and keep in mind I was in the middle of writing about forgiveness)…
and I was telling her that my oldest son had actually spoken to his father and
step-mother and they (the adults) had
not hung up on him! My son was so happy
that he might actually begin to have
a relationship with his father again! In
telling this story to my sister… I had MANY unkind words to say about his
father and wife… and the way they had treated our son over the years! The angry words flew out of my mouth… It was
as if no time had passed! I was right back there… feeling angry… NOT wanting to
forgive their father for leaving. So…
how forgiving am I????
In the past I have wasted a lot
of time and energy being angry with their father and how he treated all three
of our children. Am I better for all of that anger and resentment??? No… not in
the least… And the fact that I could conger up such angry words to hurl at him
(once again) says that maybe I have yet to really forgive him… or myself…
Sometimes… one must let go of the
past… let go of the hurt and anger… and move on! And I believe too that negative emotions can
rob us of our health!!! Oh my gosh! I
have known quite a few people that walk around with this “pinched” look on
their faces… All because they are holding on to that negative energy! I do not want this to be me ever again!
I want my children to have a
loving and wonderful relationship with their father… I want them to have sweet
memories of the time they have spent with him…
I will practice forgiveness…
As always…
Learning in life…
Candace
X0x
The Forgiving Life
A pathway to overcoming resentment and creating a legacy of love.
In the The Forgiving Life, noted forgiveness expert, Robert D. Enright Ph.D., offers scientifically supported guidance to help people forgive those who have acted unfairly and have inflicted emotional hurt. The book describes a process, followed with success by people around the world, to confront the pain; rise above it to forgive; and in so doing, loosen the grip of the depression, anger, and resentment.
