Thursday, November 20, 2008

Mama Kats assignment: Forgive and forget... I think

MamaKats Assignment was this"
Choose a prompt:


1.) The last time I laughed really hard...

2.) Forgive and forget...I think.

3.) I remember when...

4.) Write about something that bothered you this week.

5.) Write a poem about a favorite color.

I picked number 2!

Forgiving and forgetting... that is one of the hardest things for me to do. I am a grudge carrier... I am the Elephant... I never forget. Even though I realize that I am hurting no one more than I hurt myself. Yet, I cant seem to help myself.

Why is it so hard to forgive and forget? Is it just something elemental? Or it it our ego that wont let us let go? I know in my heart that to forgive is to turn a corner, learn a lesson and make the hurt, betrayal and anger into something worthwhile. Something useful, dare I say something almost beautiful? For there is beauty in self discovery... in humility... in empathy... and in forgiveness. We become better human beings, we become worthy of forgiveness ourselves.

But who will forgive me if I cannot practice what I preach? I am striving to do so. Every day it gets a little easier. I think I have a harder time forgiving myself of transgressions, mistakes and bad behavior.

Ive done things I don't like to admit to, Ive hurt people, Ive been meaner than I should have been. Two wrongs don't make a right. Forgiving yourself is a hard won gift you can give yourself. I just wish I had the courage to do it.

Mahatma Ghandi said these words: The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

I hope to become stronger and do these wise words justice.

11 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I think that true forgiveness is very difficult. And I always remember.

Sandra said...

Being Italian... it is in the blood to hold a grudge... unfortunately...

Fortunately... I am able to accept an apology without delay... forgetting is another story entirely.

Becky said...

Wow that was beautiful and thought inspiring. Maybe forgiving takes practice... start with the small things. I think a lot of it has to do with personality too.

Jen said...

I am a rememberer too. It had to forget when we have been hurt.

jori-o said...

Deep thoughts. And it is just plain hard to forgive AND forget...I don't think that forgetting is always the wisest thing to do anyways.

Thanks for stopping by! =)

Kristin said...

You know I am easy to be forgiving, but forgetting takes time. You've got to work on a relatioship, ghet trust back. Forgetting can never be done though..

AJ @ A Little Bit Nutty said...

I'm a grudge holder as well. I try and work on it though. It doesn't help that I'm a sensitive person and sometimes take things the wrong way.

Unknown said...

I don't think you should forget when someone hurts you. Forgive, yes.

Denise said...

WOW! That was beautiful!!! :)

And yes...forgiving is SUCH a hard thing to do - to TRULY forgive. I think you are an amazing person and I think you have it in you to do that - even if it is hard work! :)

I am so glad you are my friend! :)

Denise said...

I left you something on my blog today! :)

KatBouska said...

This post really made me thing. It's so true, sometimes I need or expect forgiveness and yet I can be stingy with it (also an elephant)...and I love the quote. Well done!!