Comments on: The Freedom That Comes From Forgiving

By: Maggie

Maggie — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 00:34:00 +0000

I lost my mom to cancer when I was six years old. As childhood passed, I became fearful and phobic. But my relationships with animals helped me through. Tough childhoods can make us strong and teach us compassion for others by first feeling for ourselves. Thanks for sharing your wonderful post!

Maggie-
BringingBackTheMagic.com

By: Kiki Dunigan

Kiki Dunigan — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 03:06:00 +0000

I have been harboring a grudge toward a family member for a year now. Your thoughts give me hope that I can find a way to forgive. I’m just not there yet.

By: Lynne Spreen

Lynne Spreen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:03:00 +0000

It is that, Cyndi. If only we could be so strong. But a good thing about aging is – well, scroll down to the answer I gave Flora Brown, below. Thank you for commenting.

By: Lynne Spreen

Lynne Spreen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:02:00 +0000

You’re welcome, Kathy. I usually can’t move on until I roll around in it a while. When I get sick of it and myself, freedom seems more appealing, but for a while, examining the horror of it is kind of useful. Sad to say. Just as long as you don’t get to a point where it holds you back. Best wishes, my friend.

By: Cyndi L

Cyndi L — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:38:00 +0000

This is an absolutely beautiful story and we should all learn from it. Life is too inpredictable and short to carry around anger.

By: Kathy Hicks Walker

Kathy Hicks Walker — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:46:00 +0000

What an amazing story. I am going through emotional turmoil with my mother and I am just not ready to move past it yet. Everytime I think I am – she does something else that sets me back. Your story is giving me food for though and maybe I will get there soon too. Thanks for putting your story out there.

By: Lynne Spreen

Lynne Spreen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Sue, it’s so weird, isn’t it, that we have the power to free ourselves? I’m glad you’re free now.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor says the chemistry that results from a horrible encounter only lasts for 90 seconds, and after that it dissipates from the bloodstream. However, if we relive/think about the conflict again, the chemicals erupt again for another 90 seconds. Theoretically, if we figure out a way to move on and stop reliving the encounter, we might heal sooner. Also within our power. But honestly, sometimes the pain feels good. I’m reeling from a recent painful incident and I sort of enjoy mulling it over, because it’s so shocking and appalling. But by doing so I’m also torturing myself. Must. Develop. Willpower!

By: Lynne Spreen

Lynne Spreen — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:15:00 +0000

Anne, it took me until I was in my early 40s to start seeing reciprocity as a reasonable thing. (Before that, I had been convinced it was kind of selfish!) I still fall into the trap of GIVE, GIVE, GIVE without anything in return, but at least now I’m aware of my martyr tendencies. And what changes everything is that wonderful self-awareness that most of us don’t earn until we’re older. Best wishes, and thanks for commenting.