Day 5 of my journey to "better". What did I run this morning? Absolutely nothing. An unplanned day off and my legs are thankful. I'll go long tomorrow. Still an outside chance I will hit 50 for the week, but everything would have to work out just right for me to do that. We will see. I'd be happy with 45 as I didn't even run many 50 mile weeks when I was training for Boston.
So, today, I didn't have my usual run time to ponder. I didn't even have dog walking to ponder as I gave that morning responsibility to my oldest.
So, I'll reflect on something that a friend posted on Facebook earlier this week and a bit of philosophical exchange we had. The picture she shared a link of came from Upworthy on Facebook (from which I have borrowed the photo for commentary).
I noted that "forgiveness" was sticking out. She had commented in an earlier that an aspect of forgiveness was something that she struggled with. I think we all struggle. Forgiving may come more easily for some than for others. But none of us are perfect at forgiving. None of us can always forgive. And none of us can always forgive completely. No matter how sorry the person we are asked to forgive is. None of us is God--in whatever sense we may picture God as offering forgiveness.
I thought about three other things. First, the sign says "Take What You Need". It may have been even better if it said "Take What You Need to Share". Sure, I may need forgiveness. But isn't sharing it even more important as a personal quality. At least I have control over whether I share it or not. I can share love. I can share my faith. I can share my strength and my inspiration. Adding just two words could turn the whole thing a bit upside down but also change the meaning in an incredibly positive way. Just a thought on how to use something like this. And for me sharing each of the things listed would certainly be part of being better.
Second, my friend discussed forgive and forget. Can you forgive if you don't forget? If you forgive and don't forget does that mean you are holding on? If you forgive and remember does that mean you have learned a lesson but have moved on? I think that you can forgive without forgetting--but it can be hard. What do we mean by forgiveness? And who is to judge when we have completely forgiven? As with much else in life, I suspect that much of the answer to this question is perception. Does the person who needs forgiveness perceive that they have been forgiven? And what would it take to make them feel this? So, perhaps there is no simple answer to whether there can be forgiveness without forgetting. This is in the eye of the beholder--and there are at least two beholders in every situation that needs forgiveness.
Third, I think about what forgiveness means to me. Who am I good at forgiving? Who am I not so good at forgiving? To whom do I need to send a message of forgiveness? From whom do I need forgiveness? What are the barriers to forgiveness in my life? And what do I do that requires forgiveness? One way to be better regardless of my own ability to forgive is to do less of whatever I do for which I end up needing forgiveness.
A worthy goal.
So, today, I didn't have my usual run time to ponder. I didn't even have dog walking to ponder as I gave that morning responsibility to my oldest.
I noted that "forgiveness" was sticking out. She had commented in an earlier that an aspect of forgiveness was something that she struggled with. I think we all struggle. Forgiving may come more easily for some than for others. But none of us are perfect at forgiving. None of us can always forgive. And none of us can always forgive completely. No matter how sorry the person we are asked to forgive is. None of us is God--in whatever sense we may picture God as offering forgiveness.
I thought about three other things. First, the sign says "Take What You Need". It may have been even better if it said "Take What You Need to Share". Sure, I may need forgiveness. But isn't sharing it even more important as a personal quality. At least I have control over whether I share it or not. I can share love. I can share my faith. I can share my strength and my inspiration. Adding just two words could turn the whole thing a bit upside down but also change the meaning in an incredibly positive way. Just a thought on how to use something like this. And for me sharing each of the things listed would certainly be part of being better.
Second, my friend discussed forgive and forget. Can you forgive if you don't forget? If you forgive and don't forget does that mean you are holding on? If you forgive and remember does that mean you have learned a lesson but have moved on? I think that you can forgive without forgetting--but it can be hard. What do we mean by forgiveness? And who is to judge when we have completely forgiven? As with much else in life, I suspect that much of the answer to this question is perception. Does the person who needs forgiveness perceive that they have been forgiven? And what would it take to make them feel this? So, perhaps there is no simple answer to whether there can be forgiveness without forgetting. This is in the eye of the beholder--and there are at least two beholders in every situation that needs forgiveness.
Third, I think about what forgiveness means to me. Who am I good at forgiving? Who am I not so good at forgiving? To whom do I need to send a message of forgiveness? From whom do I need forgiveness? What are the barriers to forgiveness in my life? And what do I do that requires forgiveness? One way to be better regardless of my own ability to forgive is to do less of whatever I do for which I end up needing forgiveness.
A worthy goal.
