As we walk through the journey of life we will experience the presence of many different people who will touch our hearts in numerous ways. Some are with us from birth and some enter our story in different chapters, however each of them can bring a kaleidoscope of inspiration, disappointment, joy, heartache, happiness and pain. Those who bring us joy, those who show us happiness, are those that allow this journey toward purpose and peace simple and effortless. However, realistically, there will be disappointment and we will feel pain, and the source may be from those we love.
The pain that they may bring, the heartache they may cause and the disappointment you may feel can bring you to your knees, question your faith and, at times, destroy your hope. It is our most human trait to believe in the purity of love. We are wired to believe that if one loves another, they will not cause the other harm. When that trust is shattered, to believe again seems like a pointless endeavor. I know this, I’ve felt this, and I’ve wanted to pretend that the pain was a figment of my imagination. In response, my heart hardened, and my world may have been darker, but the path was smoother, risk-free with no cliffs, no valleys and no chance of falling again. The loneliness and the pain that came when the center of my being shut down was something I never expected.
The pain of shutting off and closing my heart to just walk this earth without really living was a pain I didn’t realize I was feeling, but when I did, I knew it was not a path I wanted to travel. For so long I didn’t want to believe that those who happened to enter my life were imperfectly human, yet they are human. They are breathing, feeling, heart-pumping humans with battles within themselves that we are unaware, and we are not to judge. It was difficult for me to accept that each one of us is an imperfect soul that strives to piece together this puzzle of life, and that while the choice of crossing paths may not be ours, the choice to love them anyway, whether we choose to stay, or to walk away is ours to make.
I recently heard an interview where the author spoke of a conversation she had had with her priest. She asked him if he felt people do the best that they can in this life. His response led me to reassess my entire outlook on those who cross our paths. He asked, if God were to come down and tell you that these people that have hurt us, disappointed us or caused us heartache were truly doing the best they could, they were living their life the best they were capable, would your perspective change? It was a powerful concept that has been difficult for me to shake, and I have used in my process of understanding and forgiving. What if they are doing the best that they can, and while understanding may be difficult to ask, love them anyway, even if it must be from afar.
So…
When your parents shatter the perfect image, you have carried in your mind since you were a child, love them anyway;
When your children don’t act like the perfect angels you wish them to be, love them anyway;
When your spouse/friend/partner disappoints, betrays or hurts you, love them anyway;
When family doesn’t treat you like family, love them anyway;
When the random stranger shows you nothing but angst, love them anyway;
When you cross paths with someone who emits hate, hurt and sadness, love them anyway; and
When you feel like you are not worth the effort or feel alone, love you anyway;
…because honestly, we need more love in this world.
The more love we emit, the more love we will receive. We don’t have to agree with the actions or surround ourselves with those who are blind to the beauty of this life, but we can wish them love in their hearts, and love them anyway.
Much Love,
Lisa J
Such a hard concept to practice, especially if the offense is not a light one. :/
Thank you for reminding us all of the necessity of forgiveness for our health.
You are absolutely right it’s one of the most difficult practices there are, but as you stated it’s really not for them, it’s for you 🧡
Powerful words that touch the heart.
Thank you 🧡
I’m not very good at letting go of grudges. Nice post. Definitely something to think of and put into practice
I was terrible at it as well but realized just how much holding on to those grudges was dragging me down 🧡 I wish you much success in the practice
Nice
Thank you 🧡
I agree.
🧡
The most important thing for us to achieve, is to forgive our selves, for whatever happened to us, and, love ourselves, like our parents never had done it right, and, if you can do that, everything will be sunny from here on out for the rest of your lives.
I absolutely agree 🧡 thank you
Beautiful, wise piece. So hard to remember but so important. Thank you Lisa.
Thank you for your kind words Olivia and yes so important for our own path in life 🧡
This is such a beautiful and compassionate post. The understanding that all of us are doing the best we can is something I’ve been meditating on lately, and though difficult to accept, it takes me to a deeper, richer place to live from.
Thank you so much 🧡 it is a difficult concept, however I find that it brings much more peace in my life.
This is such a beautiful message. It is hard to practice it, but it definitely lightened my day. Thank you.
Thank you Nitin 🧡 it is difficult but the more I practice the more full my own life becomes.
Powerful! Thanks for sharing this. It is so true and good.
Thank you 🧡
This is just what I needed to hear right now. Thank you 🙂
Thank you 🧡 so happy it resonated with you.
A great post that reminded me of the “Do It Anyway” message (https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1139478-people-are-often-unreasonable-irrational-and-self-centered-forgive-them-anyway) that deals with many of the challenges we may find in a given day that give us plenty of reasons to stop – but ask us to focus on us and do it anyway. I like your version as it focuses on love and passing it forward whenever we can… which would definitely result in a better world.
Thank you 🧡I’ve never read that passage and thank you so much for sharing. I’m am humbled that you thought of it when you read this post.
Reblogged this on walkingtheclouds and commented:
Brilliant! Written with insight and truth!
Thank you 🧡
This is such a good post; a challenge indeed to love. Forgiveness is a difficult thing when people hurt you, but carrying bitterness, holding a grudge toward them is not good either. I have often prayed for God to give me the strength to forgive, to help me be at peace with those who have hurt me. The grace God has shown me is something I need to share with others.
Thank you 🧡 forgiveness is such a difficult practice but I found it brings more peace to me and I can live without carrying the weight of my anger. And sharing the grace God has shown you is I believe why we are here 🧡
Beautifully said. And something to remind me that even if we cannot keep someone in our lives, we can love them anyway.
Thank you and I’m so happy it served as a reminder 🧡