And LH, I'm bad on the forgiveness step (even though I know it is for me, and not anyone else).
Aren't we all. You know I didn't realize how much power in my life resentments and anger held. I truly did consider myself a forgiving person. Afterall, heck I'd been the Lay Minister classes, preached in church, and was held in high regard by many.
Well about a year and half ago I sat down with a notebook and put all of my resentments on paper. I would simply write a couple 2 or 3 lines about the situation surrounding the resentment, my role, and what I resented. I started from my 1st memories. By the time I got done, I had hand written 26 pages. WOW!!!! I was shocked. These 26 pages had a stronghold in my life. I ended up confessing or professing all of those to a clergy, praying on them, and for good measure I burned them as sort of a cremation ceremony for my resentments. Again WOW!!!!! What an experience.
Today, I actively forgive and seek forgiveness. I truly try to not fall asleep on any resentments for anyone. On several occasions, I've had to walk into my boss's office and apoligive for my behavior. One of the coolest things ever happened the other day when he walked into my office and apoligized for his behavior. I and my life are a whole lot better today.
The path I chose after my divorce was long, hard, and very painful to me and those who love me. I do pray that by sharing my experience, strength, and hope that one person, just one person, will choose to learn from my hard won knowledge and choose not to go down that path.
The posts over the past couple of days about grieving, healing, and forgiveness have really stirred something inside of me and I'm truly grateful that I have a place like this to get these things out. Last night, maybe in jest, my wife suggested that I do some writings on those area's. I have to say, she planted a seed, I'm anxious to see if it grows......
God Bless...
