One More Step in the Journey: Be . . .

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One More Step in the Journey: Be . . .How can we prepare our hearts, minds and bodies to forgive? Forgiveness is not easy and it is not embraced by the world around us. Our hearts may be very hard toward a person who has hurt us. Our minds may be bombarded with constant mental messages about revenge. Our tight, clenched bodies may be carrying our resentments. We may not be ready TODAY to forgive, but we can prepare ourselves to be forgiving.

Be Aware, Quiet, Gentle, Grateful and BOLO for the Good
We started with four “Be”s:

  1. Be AWARE of what is unsettling you.
  2. Be QUIET and refrain from talking about others.
  3. Be GENTLE with yourself and put aside perfectionism.
  4. Be GRATEFUL.

We then added BOLO for the Good–BOn the Look Out for the Good.
Be Small, but Active
Our final step in preparing to forgive is to be small, but active. Don’t get distracted by waiting to make grand gestures! Building forgiveness skills takes practice. Don’t get distracted by the negative voice that tells you that you can never forgive, so why bother trying. Building forgiveness takes work.

In small ways begin to love. In small ways begin to show mercy. In small ways turn from the negative and choose the positive. Let someone merge into your lane. Smile. Choose to make someone dinner. Do some else’s chores. Choose to send a note. Choose to find the good and point it out! 

Yes, it is world that appears to be in upheaval. Yes, there is yelling and arguing. You don’t have to join in. Instead of a rebuttal, how about a note that says, “Thank you for being passionate.” 

When we start small, but we START, we are preparing ourselves for bigger acts of love, bigger acts of mercy and beginning to forgive. 

With gratitude,
Tim

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