Life Lessons of Forgiveness

The last couple of months have been filled with fabulous ups and tumultuous downs.  We are able to masterfully skip through the ups, experiencing each new joy with a renewed sense of wonder; however it's traversing the downs that can be tricky.

I wonder why there are downs.  Why we experience disappointments, hurts and losses.  I think for animals it's a bit different though... things that cause me to experience a negative feeling don't really stick with me, doggies aren't engaged in self-protection in the same way as humans.  If I sense danger I run the other way or I growl.  Humans on the other hand calculate the degree and type of danger, filtering through an emotional lens and then personalize the issue, vowing to "never forget" and often really meaning, "never forgive."

Forgiving is a selfless gesture because you perceive that you don't receive any tangible item in return.  What you do receive, however, is much more precious than anything you can hold in your hand.  True forgiving, letting go of the emotion of the event, consciously retraining your mind to be free of the negative association you carry around, brings peace.... peace within yourself.  The kind of peace that once experienced you can share back out in to the world so that you become a partner in the cycle of peace.

When you don't forgive, truly, you are withdrawing from the world, just a little bit; and bit by bit, you become more disconnected with the world.  People think they are protecting themselves, but true forgiveness frees you from the burden of protection, and allows you to understand that we are all operating from the best place we can at that moment in time.  Tomorrow I may be in a better place to be a better dog and you a better human, and any interaction that I have with you today contributes to the better me I will become tomorrow... it's a circle.

We lost two very special friends in April... Julie, mommas girlfriend and Sally her sweet golden lab.  Julie and Sally, both diagnosed with cancer, were hospice workers and spent their time with humans and animals during their last months on earth.  Julie told me that as humans neared death they often talked about their need to forgive or be forgiven, and it is because of this that Julie grew strong in her belief of weaving forgiveness in to her every day activities so that it was not a worry for her at the end of her life.  She always laughed and said, "Sally does it naturally, I on the other hand must practice forgiveness."

I agree with Julie and Sally, together they taught me and my momma a lot.  I celebrate their lives and ask that you do the same.  In memory of these two great souls, forgive someone you feel has wronged you and strengthen the bonds of peace.

With love, Mattiedog