Today’s forgiving journal is about neutrality – a first look 🙂 .
Lately, I’ve been questioning the way I look at things. Why is it that I see some things as “bad” and some things as “good”? For example, I got my teeth deep cleaned. I had trouble seeing the blessing in that. On the other hand, I had no trouble seeing the blessing of my friend calling just at the right time.
This relates to neutrality, because what I am learning in forgiveness is that nothing is inherently good or bad, it is my judgment that makes it so.
OK, to explore this further, I’d like to use this week’s photo challenge from Dutch Goes the Photo. This week’s theme is “unusual”, or to pick out a scene where there’s something that doesn’t quite fit.
There are two photos I’d like to share. The first is of a play house smack in the middle of a busy Brooklyn neighborhood. (How unusual is that?) When I saw it, I smiled and it made me think how I can create happy time no matter what is going on in my life!
The second photo is of an older man sleeping in the café area of Whole Foods. He’s at a table mostly by himself, and other people are eating or on their computer … certainly not paying him any attention. As I took the photo, I questioned why I didn’t go and check on him myself and I was disturbed by that.
I am aware that the first scenario of kids playing seems good to me, and the second one seems bad. How do I know that, though? Maybe that sleeping man is getting the rest he needs after a hard day, or maybe if he is having a tough time, it’s providing him with a strength that will help him greatly.
Time for forgiving:
1 – Self-forgiveness: I forgive myself for judging myself for not checking on that man. I forgive myself for judging that morality has any bearing on the inherent goodness in all of creation.
2 – Letting Go: I let go of my beliefs, expectations, and fear around what is good and bad, and I open to the wisdom of my spiritual heart to show me a greater truth.
3 – Gratitude: I am grateful that I don’t have to have the answers. I’m grateful for my willingness to approach life in a whole new perspective of neutral observation and to see what happens.
***
I am aware now that I have an opportunity to be of service to myself and to this planet by looking at each scenario as an opportunity to see the good, to honor each person’s lessons, and to forgive my judgments. The rest will follow.
I don’t know if this makes sense to any of you. What I do know is that it was very important for me to share this inner exploration I am doing around neutrality, seeing the blessings, and how to serve.
I love you.
Love,
Debbie
Love that quote. Neutral is a great starting point, from which to see all is good! Sunday blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you Anne. This post revealed itself to me as it went along. I appreciate the great value in writing with an intention to love and allow my heart to lead the way. 🙂 Blessings!
LikeLike
Haha, I knew it was a wonderful idea to follow you!
I am on this journey as well. I name it objectivity instead of neutrality tho. I would like to start and say that you are blessed to be able to detach yourself from judging everything that is happening.
I believe that the mind is a responsive orgin. Reacts to anything that we throw at it. The problem is that we tend to think we are our thoughts; and it brings to us all kinds of pain and sadness.
The truth is, that a thought is exactly just that – a thought. Nothing is fundamentally good or bad – that is just a concept our human brain invented to label experiences so it can understand what is going on.
Warm blessings! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh Gal, thank you! It is so lovely to have you following this blog. You bring a smile to my face & I appreciate your sharing. We are so much more than our minds, our emotions, and our bodies.
I’ve participated in a class called “Detachment and Freedom” — it’s one of my favorites!
Many blessings, and so looking forward to connecting further. Happy Sunday and smiles 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy life right back at ya! 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you think things can be inherently good or bad despite your perceptions of them? Murder – good or bad? Buying a meal for a homeless person – good or bad? I’m trying to understand if you are talking about only your perceptions or if you think good and bad are simply objective and not real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jeffrey, I’m opening it all up for exploration. My personal experience is that from a higher perspective, all is love. Thank you for sharing and for being here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this blog. I had a rough day yesterday and have been using this approach to clear out resentment and sadness. I are feeling lighter and clearer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Daniel that is great … it’s one step at a time, isn’t it? Sending you much love and Light. Remember that this too shall pass. Be good to yourself. God bless you Daniel.
LikeLike
There is so much freedom of being beyond right or wrong, and good or bad. Perspectives is what makes it what it is to us …or else it is simply what it is …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow God that was really well put. Thank you! Reminds me of the Rumi quote, “Out being rightdoing and wrongdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” Blessings! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 Wow yes that is an amazing quote!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the positivity that comes through your post!
I really feel that that’s how you are in your ‘real life’ too.
Great idea to add mantras on every post! It’s important that we address what we feel.
Looking forward to reading more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Dina, thank you! You are a sweetheart. So glad to have you here on my blog … your presence is lovely. Looking forward to connecting more, and many blessings your way. 🙂 Smiles, Debbie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your experiences.. We all need to forgive ourselves and others. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thank you! So lovely to hear from you. Hope you are doing really well 💖 Blessings
LikeLike
Debbie, this does make sense. As humans, we tend to label everybody and every situation. Despite what we think, it may be totally different. Thank you for this post, it’s so insightful! ❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh so glad that you like it and it brings value for you 🙂 Sending you much Light and love. It’s a blessing to have you here, and I appreciate your comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and I feel the same about you so keep your forgiving journal going.💗💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Week ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you, dear Simona ❤ Many blessings of love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Baci
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting and enlightened post Debbie that made a lot of sense to me. What’s right and wrong is indeed up for interpretation and there is no definite answer. Wonderful thought provoking post, hugs to you my friend. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good to know, Miriam – thank you! I’m so glad you are here. Hugs right back to you my friend. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
This makes perfect sense to me. A few years ago, I determined that there’s really no right/wrong, good/bad. Sometimes people want to argue this point, but the argument matters not. I totally believe that we’ve made things up, judge them, and then deem them “good” or “bad.” Who knows what that man was doing? But I also believe in following your intuition, so perhaps without judging, there could be a question, “Are you okay?” And if the answer is yes, continue with your day. Love you Debbie! And love this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
K E, I really love that … it’s like asking inside, “What is mine to do?” and trusting in my heart without judging (and if I do judge, forgive it)! I love you too, K E. Beautiful comment. Many blessings my friend. Have a blessed week xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok this is going to sound silly to some people…but it used to drive me crazy when Vivi would sleep in the middle of the floor when she has so many beds laying around the house. (yes for those reading this who have no idea who Vivi is..she is my beloved dog) It felt wrong. Like it was just not right at all for her to HAVE to sleep on the floor. Like it was a punishment. Then one day it hit me…it’s cool on the floor. She can curl up in a tight little ball like she wants to without being hot. So in a strange way…I get what you’re saying. 😉 We project often and sometimes we need to take a step back and see things differently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is such a great example, Nikki! I’m so glad you shared it. I learned from this. Cool! Blessings to Vivi, she’s an amazing dog. And a cutie patootie. 😊
Blessings. Love Debbie
LikeLike
Love love the Shakespeare quote (can I borrow that?)– and as far a good and bad go– I think we have the measure in the goodness of God, perfect goodness. We fall short, but he loves us anyway as we believe in him. Happy Wednesday Debbie!! Getting ready for our trip??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rhonda, sure absolutely you can borrow that Shakespeare quote. 🙂 Let me know if you would like me to email you the graphic. YES I’m getting ready for my Japan trip. So exciting. Have you been there? Blessings xo Love, Debbie
LikeLike
Hey Debbie– Only through the airport on our way to China (lots of trips there when our kids were in Shanghai!)– But it sounds like you’ll have an awesome time there. Hope we get to hear about it! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person