“A human being is part of a whole, called by us the 'Universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” - Albert Einstein

widen our circle of compassion.

embrace all.

these are the two key things for FORGIVENESS.

To me forgiveness is the last step in a whole fucked up chain of bullshit. and forgiveness is the end. it is the last place a messy break up, an ugly fight, or whatever can be put to rest.

but it is also the beginning. it is the beginning of your love for them. real love. not emotional or physical love, but love that helps you see. love that embraces them and offers them compassion. because if we don't want to be a prison unto ourselves then we must look at what we are trying so desperately to keep out and knowingly let it back in.

if i reflect back on bridges burned and i think of that person and can not and will not send out genuine love to them and wish them happiness in their lives, then i have not forgiven them. fact.

sometimes it is easier to say i don't give a fuck what they do with their lives and mask that as being forgiveness. that is not forgiveness. you have only mastered a way to not dwell on it, and have missed the last step (or the first) in offering them love.

it is not outwardly love, in which you are going to march over to their house and give them a big hug. it is inner love that you are also giving to yourself and letting yourself dissolve away any ties that you are storing with that person.

yes there are still some people i am still not in a place to forgive. i still do not wish them happiness in their lives. and that is sad for me. i really wish it wasn't that way. but that is what i am working towards.

but there are people who have over the years made their way back into my heart. they don't know it. but that is not the point. forgiveness is about you!

"if a puss and dog can get together, why can't we love one another?" - bob marley

"This is my simple religion. there is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." - Dali Lama

i wish you (whoever my readers are if there are any) the best of luck in sending out love to those that have wronged you.

you know you didn't deserve it. so now do yourself a favor and be the first to find love for them, because god knows they will need it.