forgiveness

Finding Peace with the Past: Lessons on Self-Compassion and Grace

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In this heartfelt episode, we explore the profound lessons of self-compassion, forgiveness, and recognizing our sacred worth. Drawing inspiration from Anthony de Mello’s story, Taking Flight, and Robert Hayden’s powerful poem, Those Winter Sundays, we dive into the emotional challenges of regret and guilt. How do we heal from what’s left unsaid, undone, or unappreciated?

Through the lens of noir films and the timeless wisdom of Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz, we discover ways to transform regret into healing and growth. Rumi’s The Guest House reminds us that all emotions, even those of sorrow and regret, are guides. Hafiz’s Now is the Time calls for forgiveness and a sacred truce with ourselves.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-criticism or wished for a path to inner peace, this episode offers hope and practical wisdom. Join us on this journey to let go of guilt, embrace grace, and find the sacred in every action.

The Return by Theodosia Garrison

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The Return

Theodosia Garrison

I come to you grown weary of much laughter,
From jangling mirth that once seemed over-sweet,
From all the mocking ghosts that follow after
A man’s returning feet;
Give me no word of welcome or of greeting
Only in silence let me enter in,
Only in silence when our eyes are meeting,
Absolve me of my sin.

I come to you grown weary of much living,
Open your door and lift me of your grace,
I ask for no compassion, no forgiving,
Only your face, your face;
Only in that white peace that is your dwelling
To come again, before your feet to sink,
And of your quiet as of wine compelling
Drink as the thirsting drink.

Be kind to me as sleep is kind that closes
With tender hands men’s fever-wearied eyes,
Your arms are as a garden of white roses
Where old remembrance lies,
I, who am bruised with words and pierced with chiding,
Give me your silence as a Saint might give
Her white cloak for some hunted creature’s hiding,
That he might rest and live.

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Today’s Thought: I’m In Favor of Second Chances

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Ever done something you’ve regretted? I have, more than once. I will always remember the times and people who gave me a second chance. We all need second chances. Sometimes a third or fourth chance. I’ve tried to make the best of my second chances and third chances. A little forgiveness goes a long way in helping someone out and getting back on the right road.

Today’s Quote: Love, Love, Love Somemore

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Let us have love and more love; a love that melts all opposition, a love that conquers all foes, a love that sweeps away all barriers, a love that abounds in charity, a large-heartedness, tolerance, forgiveness and noble striving, a love that triumphs over all obstacles. Abdu’l-Bahá

Today’s Thought: It’s Okay to be Wrong

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Everyone has a right to be wrong, more than once. Everyone has a right to mess up, more than once. The folks who like to point fingers and criticize don’t realize when they are pointing a finger they are pointing three fingers back toward themselves. We get along a lot better when we cut each other some slack, laugh at our mistakes, and encourage each other to keep trying.

Today’s Thought: Happiness Happens

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One thing no one should ever give away is the right to choose what makes one happy. When we allow another’s words or actions to make us happy or unhappy we cede control of our happiness to that person. Retaining control of our happiness requires us to love and forgive ourselves and make an effort to make our self, our best friend. When we are in a state of knowing, loving, and forgiving ourselves we discover that happiness happens. It’s wherever we are. We don’t have search for it.

Today’s Thought:

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Love yourself-accept yourself-forgive yourself-and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things. ~ Leo Buscaglia

One of the most difficult journeys any of us take is the journey into our heart and to heal it. It takes heaps of courage to take that journey because it is a journey of forgiving one’s self and freeing all the things within our heart that keep us trapped. Perhaps it is a parent or sibling issue. It may be memories from school. It may be regrets. Whatever it is you’ll recognize it when you journey into your heart. When we love ourselves we can look at ourselves in the mirror with compassionate eyes and smile. We can offer ourselves a freedom others cannot offer us. The most courageous words we can say to ourselves are: “I love you.” “I forgive you.” And, “You’re perfect just as you are.”

Today’s Thought: It Takes Two to Tango

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I have a friend who is estranged from a family member. My friend wants to end the estrangement and is willing to let bygones be bygones. My friend sent her sibling a letter expressing her desire to get back together and forget the issues that divided them. She never got a response. It’s a sad situation. We can try to reconcile but it takes two to make it work. Part of the lyrics from the song, It Takes Two to Tango, read, “You can haunt any house by yourself / Be a man or a mouse by yourself / You can act like a king on a thrown / There are lots of things that you can do alone / But it takes two to tango two to tango.” The best one can do is to be open to reconciliation. If the opportunity presents itself, embrace it. Let the past rejected attempts go and be grateful it happened. If it never happens, one can be at peace knowing he/she gave it his/her best shot.

Episode 52: A Letter to Babe Asking Her Forgiveness

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In Episode 52 of my podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, I write the first of the four letters M suggest I write to B. It is a letter expressing regret for my actions and asking her forgiveness. I discovered, in hindsight, that writing these letter, although emotional difficult, created a breakthrough for me in the grieving process. 

You can listen to Episode 52 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 52.

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Dear Friend: Poem by William Shakespeare

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Dear Friend

William Shakespeare

When to the session of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time’s waste:
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death’s dateless night,
And weep afresh love’s long since cancelled woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanish’d sight:
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o’er
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before.
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored and sorrows end.

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