Footsteps of Forgiveness – September 17, 2000
All of us are travelers through the experience of life. For some, the journey is short; for others, it requires special skills to navigate difficult passes. None of us knows when our journey will end, and a new one begin. Most of us hope to learn as we go, to enjoy the trip, to be helpful to those around us.
Seasoned travelers advise others to “travel light.” Perhaps this counsel applies to more than just our physical baggage. It could apply also to the collection of grudges and resentments. Some of us have strapped bygone injustices to our backs as if they are precious jewels; then we struggle along like beasts of burden maneuvering a steep mountain trail. How much easier our travels would be if we would cast off this heavy load.
Forgiveness—the willingness to put aside someone else’s mistake—brings us a feeling of unrestrained goodwill. It can bring lightness of being and a delight in life that cannot be attained if we cling to old resentments.
It’s been said that holding a grudge is like taking poison and hoping the other person will die. Anger and self-pity make poor traveling companions and do the most harm to the one who carries them.
Too often we wait for an apology, an admission of guilt by the wrongdoer. Such waits can be long, and cause us to miss the vista just around the corner. Forgiving others shouldn’t be contingent on their being sorry.
Forgiveness is for the forgiver. It cleanses us from the poison of hatred, and releases a burden that hurts us far more than it hurts our offender. By letting go of past injuries, we release ourselves from bondage.
No matter how difficult our journey may be, our load will be lighter, and our destination joyful, if we will learn to forgive.
Program #3709