Today’s forgiving journal: Neutrality – a first look :)

Posted on by Forgiving Connects

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.

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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

neutrality-shakespeare-sept-11-2016

32 thoughts on “Today’s forgiving journal: Neutrality – a first look :)”

  2. 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! 🙂

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    1. 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 🙂

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  3. 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.

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  4. 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.

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  6. 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!

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  8. Pingback: Tuesday Photo Challenge – Round Up 21 – Dutch goes the Photo!

  11. 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

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  12. 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.

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    1. 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

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  13. 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.

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  14. 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??

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    1. 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

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      1. 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

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