I Found Freedom In Forgiveness
Making amends is an opportunity to heal from previous grievances. This allows for a reflection upon behaviors, actions, and thoughts regarding ourselves and others. This is a process of acknowledgement and forgiveness that can be difficult but is necessary for the soul.
Each one of us is a unique expression of the Divine. Our true purpose is to use the inner Light to share love, wisdom, and compassion. When we deviate from this purpose we tend to create unrest. Making amends helps to take responsibility, realign us to our purpose, and heal old wounds.
One of the hardest amends I made was with an ex-lover of mine. We were together for a few years and during that time, we created a life that was intertwined. The lines between work, home, and social gatherings blurred. At that time, I was more dependent upon our relationship than I would have cared to admit. As our relationship unfolded, I gave up things that were very dear to my heart. Years were spent cultivating a gorgeous garden where I would host weekly spiritual teachers and healers. It was a space where others could meet with their students and I could be exposed to learn beside them. Teachers came from all over the world and I had the privilege to be of service. Each week hours were spent in the garden; tending to it, participating in classes, or just playing with our little dog Guapo.
The shift in seasons brought the warmer spring air and with it came change. In a month’s time, I no longer had a garden to tend to, no teachers to learn from, and no Guapo. The life that I spent years creating no longer existed. As I worked through the transition it was difficult to not dwell in the lost. As much as my heart was in sorrow, I knew something greater was approaching. It took me a summer to process my emotions and to make amends. The moment I truly forgave myself, I forgave my ex and was able to make peace with what I had lost; this process allowed a a shift to occur. As fall approached I found myself taking classes to become a certified teacher, learning to teach what I spent years in the garden simply attending. I found myself in a new relationship and was soon surrounded by a plethora of animals. When I made peace with the past, I was able to enjoy the present and create space for an exciting future full of possibility
Today, let us make amends. We will never know the extent of our influence. The lives affected by our actions (or inactions) will be countless. To acknowledge error is bold. To ask for forgiveness is courageous. And to forgive others is to be in the grace of God.