Happy Sunday, everyone. Thank you for joining me in the evening this week for Sunday Morning Thoughts. Time for another happy attitude.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Bible, Matthew 5:7)
Forgiveness is a necessity for a joy-filled life. When you choose not to forgive, the whole body contracts. Take a moment and think of someone you have a grievance with. Feel it in your body. Is it truly worth it? You’re not hurting them by holding onto it—you’re hurting yourself and those you love who take in what you are saying about another.
When I was young, a family member constantly shared their grievances about another family member. Because I trusted this person, I believed them. I had a close relationship with the other person, but over time I pulled away from the relationship.
Years later, the person who shared with me all the grievances she had about the other said to me, “You used to be so close and so and so is so hurt that you aren’t any longer.” That was a wow moment. I realized that the person was just complaining, and I had let it become my view point about the other as well. I am glad to say we are close again, and I no longer listen to any complaints about her. Once I let go, I entered into peace.
A grievance can be a sign there is something you haven’t forgiven within yourself when it comes to a particular situation. We condemn someone for murdering another, yet how many times have we murdered someone with our thoughts? When you are in judgment, choose to have another thought. Say to yourself, I am judging; I think I will have another thought.
Judgment is a poison we have all tasted. I no longer want to give that poison to anyone. I know it’s easier said than done. All I can say is that I am a work in progress. Whether you have read any of my plans to save the world, I can say with certainty that a step in my plan will be working on judgmental behavior.
When you extend forgiveness, instead of judgment, you heal. Not only that, but the person you’ve forgiven has the opportunity to heal, and so do others.
I have one friend who went through a divorce. The circumstances were awful. Yet this person worked hard over the next few years and has truly forgiven their ex-spouse. It not only healed both of them but also their children. I was so touched by the process she went through that it healed something within me. I wanted to forgive anyone in my life who I had issues with.
Another person I know was getting a divorce and they both wanted to make sure the kids were going to be okay. One bought the house next door in order to continue raising the kids together. The choice to forgive helped the whole family. I love stories like these because I grow when I encounter them; it helps me to see the best in others.
I hope you all have a joy-filled week. Try to let go of one thing (something easy at first) and feel the joy of letting go. Thank you as always for sharing your time with me.
Theresa Contaxis 