Forgiveness

Community depends on our ability to forgive one another from the heart.

Practising the fine art of forgiveness is especially important as we work for justice, fairness and reform in our society. The fact is we will find many opportunities for extending mercy and forgiveness as we progress.

The capacity to extend forgiveness to others, to "give them a break," links us with a larger reality at work in the universe. I believe the essential openness to others that provides for forgiveness and multiple "second chances" is a characteristic that links us to our Creator and to the giant picture of eternity.

When it comes to forgiveness, often my problem relates to my inability to step back and take a longer view of my life and my relationships. People who have the gift of "long-sightedness" provide direction and leadership for healthy communities.

Productive, dynamic human relationships are rooted in a deeper, extended spiritual view of reality.

Beyond this, and much closer to home, the ability to forgive in a community begins with a willingness to forgive ourselves for our own failures and selfish mistakes.

I like how Dean Koontz puts it in Brother Odd:

"When you laugh at yourself, you gain perspective. Then you realize that the mistakes you made, as long as they didn't hurt anyone but yourself--well you can forgive yourself for those."

After thinking about that for a moment, he gave me one thumb up as a sign of agreement.

"You know what? Everyone who crosses over to the Other Side, if he didn't know it before he went, suddenly understands the thousand ways he was a fool in this world. So everyone over there understands everyone over here better than we understand ourselves--and forgives our foolishness" (page 239).

So, for the sake of the community of which you are a part, practice forgiveness today.

Start by forgiving yourself. Then, look to your neighbors.