Category Archives: Forgiveness

Monthly Peace Challenge: Woman in the Mirror (Complicated) 1

Famous Quotes, Forgiveness, Life Lessons • Tags: ,
The woman in the mirror is complicated.

The woman in the mirror? It is complicated.

I continue to forgive others and myself for human flaws as I examine the woman in the mirror.

I gave one of the three speeches at my high school graduation for the theme entitled, “I Am a Part of All I Have Met …” My part was “The School.” I opened my speech with a quote that still applies to my life today.

The true purpose of education is to cherish and unfold the seed of immortality already sown within us; to develop, to their fullest extent, the capacities of every kind with which the God who made us has endowed us. — Anna Brownell Jameson

I truly am a part of all that I have met and I continue to learn and develop that seed of immortality as I continue to learn from all of the lessons life offers me. I aspire to live a life guided by the teachings of Jesus, Siddhārtha Gautama, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Teresa of Avila, Kuan Yin, etc. I want to be more like those I admire in more modern times like the His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Pope John Paul II, Rabbi Albert Lewis, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr. and so many others who inspire me to be a better person.

You might have noticed the woman in the mirror is surrounded by Asian decor. It is a part of me now too as it is a part of my husband and children. Yet, I am still influenced by my southern roots in the Bible belt. And, I am influenced by the Jesuit university I attended. Thus, I am a complicated woman with complicated beliefs.

I find myself drawn to many of the Buddhist teachings and I find parallels between the lives of Jesus and Siddhārtha Gautama. I likewise find parallels between Kuan Yin and some Christian saints along with Mother Mary. The thing I note that they all have in common is a desire for a more peaceful world beginning with inner peace. This too is my desire.

Honoring Becoming a Writer: BBQ (Big Beautiful Blog Quotations) 4

Emotions, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Novels, Writing • Tags: ,

After morning rainfallBeautiful Blog Quotation—BBQ was started by Kozo at Everyday Gurus. It is a way to honor other bloggers who inspire us with their writing and to quote something they said that touched our hearts and/ or inspired us.

EJ at Becoming a Writer wrote a post for Bloggers for Peace in November that definitely struck a chord for me.

EJ notes:

Nevertheless, hating my emotions is about as useful as hating my freckles, or hating my ear lobes.

I am learning to channel those fearful, doubting thoughts – and to value them. Without them, in a strange way, I’d never have written anything. Emotions are what make writers write, or painters paint, or singers sing.

I certainly would not have written my first novel without being pushed by my emotions. So ______ and ______, I forgive you and continue to pray for true healing for all involved. Mahalo for making my longtime dream of writing a novel come true, and mahalo for helping M. to finish songs she began writing long ago.

Guide Me in Prayer 1

Forgiveness, Joy, Kindness, Love • Tags: , ,
My Prayer Journal

My Prayer Journal

In November of 2011, I shared a post, Awaiting Answers to Prayers, during a low point. I know God heard and answered that prayer, and I am so grateful for the way he answered. A delightfully different angel helped return love and joy to my family. Yet, I am still working on forgiving others and trying to be as kind as I want the world to be. That is why I feel compelled to share today’s prayer with you.

Dear God,

Please help me to forgive easily,

To be kind and to reward others’ kindness,

To see the world through eyes of love,

To share joy,

And to always be grateful for the journey of life.

Amen.

Social Media and the Dreaded Question: What If I Am the One Who Is Wrong? 2

Bloggers For Peace, Forgiveness • Tags: , , ,

ci_78ca29e0-b2ec-475b-8122-e38d027371baHave you ever responded to someone on Facebook and then asked yourself this question? Have you ever unfriended someone because of something they said or did on Facebook or another form of social media? So, what if I am wrong?

This past week has had me asking these questions. The problem is I honestly don’t know. I am positive that others misjudge me sometimes based on things I’ve said or done on social media including posts on this blog. I know I have even been misjudged based on my novel. Therefore, isn’t it equally possible for me to jump to similar conclusions about others?

Of course it is. Facebook has never been my favorite for just this reason. Twitter is more my style. Somehow for me anyway, it is harder to get in trouble in those 140 characters. Maybe it is because few words make for fewer mistakes. I’m not sure.

I fully understand how young people can get into trouble on Facebook. Facebook seems to thrive on controversy more than any other social media. It is almost encouraged. Then add in the fact that unlike face to face interactions, we have no way of perceiving the person’s emotions or intention.

To any and all I have misjudged or who have misjudged me, I extend the olive branch of forgiveness.