Forgive Us Our Debts

One of the first things people consider when they receive financial windfalls - gifts, winnings, bonuses, dividends, or finds - is the opportunity to be free of debt, or at least to reduce the obligation.

We treasure the letters from loan companies informing that our debt has been Paid in Full. Sometimes we write PIF on the final payment check. There are mortgage burning parties, a celebration finalizing the end of constant payments and a sense of freedom.


The sense of freedom. The release. Available attention (and funds) to apply to other interest in our life. Ahh...

The same experience awaits my emotional life. When I feel that others owe me, I am carrying the debt. When I feel I owe another, I am carrying debt. The phrase in the Lord's Prayer in which I ask to be forgiven applies the condition that I forgive others. 

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

And not only that I forgive, but that I be forgiven in the manner which I forgive. I pray that I forgive freely and easily; however, knowing me, it might take a minute (or so) for me to both recognize that I am still holding on and to acknowledge how grasping my hurt is interfering in my life.

My mind is filled with platitudes and analogies about letting go and moving on, but they are useless until I can apply them to a specific situation in which I am struggling. As I stay in a prayerful mind, my "issues" are revealed and I can choose to face and address them.

We are for each other mirrors of joy and distress. When we listen with complete attention we become acutely aware of areas in each others lives where when love is applied, forgiveness follows.

Forgiveness clears the air preparing for newness in relationship with each other. Forgiveness allow us to move on without regrets or baggage, as we release the past. Forgiveness is the gift we give ourselves, the way we claim our freedom.

May your life be happy, joyous and free.

Forgive Everyone Everything

In the last week, I have retold the story of a past hurt and what I have felt was injustice, repeatedly. However, every thing that happened in the situation was my choice. And not only my choice, but an innate part of how I see myself and how I expect to show up in this life.

What I realized in this morning's retelling is that I have some pain attached and nearly teared up as I rehearsed my bit of drama. This is old. It has passed, and I am better for the process. No matter how much I loved my life before or how life shifted after, today I have more experience, more resources, and greater opportunity.

Holding on to this hurt is useless baggage. During this season of letting go, I release the pain that arises for review. I am thankful for the opportunity to notice and recognize the work within me.

I've been reading The Musician's Quest by George MacDonald. It is the story of a young man's search for meaning in his life free of the theological dominance of his grandmother. His is an inner journey of doubt and questions. Following the story I have appreciated the gentle understanding the author holds for his character's process.

Some days are challenging, but I remember the places I struggled in the past and recognize that living in the present is the only reality. Good, bad or indifferent, everything changes.

Today, I forgive everyone everything. When it comes up, I chose to let it go.

Welcome Spring!

Minding My Own Business

Lately, this have been my grand-daughter's favorite reply to the question, "What are you doing?" She says, "I'm minding my own business. J is minding her business. Mom is minding her business. We are all minding our own business." While it seems funny to hear the words come from her five year old lips, it has been a saving mantra in moments I might have chosen to engage in the drama  of others.

As prayerful as I have been this Lenten season, I have still slammed up against a wall of distress. My body is reactive to my issues and it seems there is quite a war in my mind being played out on the battlefield of my body. (Deepak Chopra Soul of Healing Affirmations)

I've been listening to the above linked CD nightly. If I stay awake long enough, I get snagged in the affirmation on letting go of judgment. When the struggle of my opinion arises, I remember that I could just mind my own business. It is amazing how that choice easily frees others from my judgment. There are very few issues I really need to weight in on. As I live the convictions of my beliefs I become the example rather than the instigator of distress.

We can travel a long way and do many things, but our deepest happiness is not born from accumulating new experiences. it is born from letting go of what is unnecessary, and knowing ourselves to be always at home. Sharon Salzberg

Being at home with ourselves heals the differences we have with others. We are each of us traveling both individual and shared paths. While our struggles may seem separate, our purpose is the same - to love and be loved in return.

When all your desires are distilled;
You will cast just two votes:
To love more,
And be happy.

Rumi

Continued blessings on this journey toward enlightenment.