Headlines that Stun My Soul
Wednesday, October 6— Autumn Invitations: A 21-Day Daily Writing Journey — On Forgiveness
I am seeking wisdom and release tonight.
As I read headlines that stun my soul, including war and climate degradation, missile launches, talk of global nuclear war, and discussions of civil war here at home, I have to admit that I struggle today, on Yom Kippur, with trust, with love, and especially, with forgiveness for those who perpetrate these systems of destruction.
I remember studying about forgiveness in my graduate program; as we learned the Eight Essentials When Forgiving, we were offered the opportunity to complete an extra credit assignment by doing the practice. I remember opening the document, trying it out, and then closing it. In fact, tonight I searched for my response in my files, but it didn’t exist because I never wrote it.
I will readily admit that I still struggle with forgiveness — not so much on a personal level (though that exists), but most definitely on a societal level.
As the attached guide via Greater Good in Action via UC Berkeley explains:
It is important to emphasize that forgiveness does not involve excusing the person’s actions, forgetting what happened, or tossing justice aside. Justice and forgiveness can be practiced together. Another important caveat: To forgive is not the same as to reconcile. Reconciliation is a negotiation strategy in which two or more people come together again in mutual trust. You may not choose to reconcile with the person you are forgiving.
I have never had interest in vengeance, and I’m always relieved to re-read and remember that reconciliation is not the same as forgiveness, nor is it required.
As this article on Radical Forgiveness from Applied Jewish Spirituality explains, “Forgiveness is self-liberation from the burden of anger and the desire for vengeance, and it changes us in ways we cannot fully anticipate…we also know that it is not easily attained; it requires a radical shift in our inner life.”
Instead of sharing a reflection on forgiveness from an extra credit project for school that I never wrote, I share this short contemplation that I found in my journal from 2017, a year that was equally plagued by many fears.
During a time when our nation is divided, we wonder: Is it irreparable? When the sun and moon and earth align and then fly, coast to coast, casting a shadow across the equator of our home, we want — desperately want — to remember that we are celestial beings, too. That we can align and fly, together, too. That after the darkness always comes light. I want to be reminded of the light, and I want my young child to see that light, too.
Part of my current practice is to try to embody the qualities that I want to experience in the world, as hard as they are to maintain.
And so, I will keep trying.
I am participating in a 21-Day Daily Writing Journey. You can learn more and join in at anytime here:
Here are the last week’s invitations (Week 3):
Day 1: Thursday, October 6: Change
Day 2: Friday, October 7: Memory
Day 3: Saturday, October 8: Pause
Day 4: Sunday, October 9: Carry
Day 5: Monday, October 10: Wish
Day 6: Tuesday, October 11: Release
Day 7: Wednesday, October 12: Honor
You can, of course, jump in at any time! Please tag me in your posts if you do!
About me:
Contemplative teacher & writer.
- M.A. English // M.S. Kinesiology, Integrative Wellness
- Critically-acclaimed writer, published by St. Martin’s Press, Penguin/Viking, PillowFort TV, and more
- Professor of English and Creative Writing, over 15 years; pre-K, middle school, high school, and college teacher, over 22 years
- ACE-Certified Wellness Coach and Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), speciality in intellectual and creative wellness
- The L.A. Music Center’s Bravo Award Teacher of the Year
I am available for manuscript reads, creativity coaching, and Zoom or phone writing support. Working with writers is my greatest joy. I feel honored that I can offer these services, and I would love to work with you! Learn more here:
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