Today’s Forgiving Fridays: Take the Road Less Traveled :)

Posted on by Forgiving Connects

Happy #ForgivingFridays everyone!   Yay!  This is an opportunity for YOU to share about forgiveness & post about it  ANY DAY this week!  You can post a poem, a quote, or a photo (or even a short story like one of this week’s contributors), or you can write about what happens when you “take the road less traveled” like I did.  Or simply do a post with two words, “I Forgive”.  (See guidelines below  )  

***This post is my contribution for Frank’s Challenge, Woods.  Frank your challenge this week inspired this post!! It is also my contribution to The Daily Post’s challenge, Satisfaction.

Today’s Forgiving Fridays is to Take the Road Less Traveled. 🙂

One of the deepest prayers I have for forgiveness is that we on this planet choose it more of the time.  I envision a planet where peace is possible, where we speak to ourselves and each other in kindness.

This may seem far-fetched, and I still hold for it.  What if the word “forgiveness” becomes more popular in the media than “war” or “conflict”?  And if I REALLY truly want this, I need to walk my own talk.

Forgiveness starts inside. It starts with me, choosing to love the people I’m upset with, to love MYSELF when I do something I’m not happy with.  Today, I forgive myself for judging!!!!

I’m aware that a part of me doesn’t want to get free.  If I truly forgive, and I’m not distracted by judgment, who would I be?

I’ve been scared of that answer, and right now, on this #ForgivingFridays, I commit to living in the truth, the peace of who I am, and to touch to others in that love.

 

The Road Less Traveled Wonder Woman -- July 28 2017
Here I am about to see Wonder Woman – loving you!

 

Just saw Wonder Woman.  The thing that really got me is when she had the choice to kill a woman who had killed so many.  She decided not to, she said, “It’s not about deserving.”  It’s about the love.  To me, that’s forgiveness.

I went to a mall the other day, just to connect and share about forgiveness.  Maria and her son stopped and talked with me.  She told her son that she wants to forgive, and he wants to know his mom.  To me, that’s peace.

The Road Less Traveled July 28 2017
Me with Maria at the Sherman Oaks mall. (Taken by her son Cristobal)

Today, for ForgivingFridays, I reach out my hand & invite you to join me as I ask myself “What can I forgive?”  When I listen for the answer, I hear just how much I feel unloveable today. Right now, I forgive myself for judging myself for forgetting that I am love.

Just for today, I let go of my judgments and travel the road of forgiveness.

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I am grateful for all of you who contribute to Forgiving Fridays.  I learn so much from you!  Here are this week’s contributions:

Etta of  Simply Etta D. gave us a beautiful invitation to listen to others to really understand (a key to forgiveness!).

Judith of Nature Knows Best wrote a stunning piece on how her mom’s death helped her forgive what she thought was “wrong”.

Pragalbha of Infinite Living contributed a wonderful poem that inspires her to freedom.

Stella of Giggles & Tales  shared a story on the palm tree to illustrate the powerful ways we can make a difference to people.

DeBorah of Roaming Urban Gypsy did a grounding practice to nurture and restore herself in Brooklyn NY!

A Mindful Traveller created a fantastic post with keys for visiting Cinque Terre in Italy, including being grateful for the little things in life.

And in case you missed it from last week 🙂 :

Emily of Zombie Flamingos did a post on her cat Elliot.  She takes great kitty photos, and we shared how the beauty of her photography is a powerful form of forgiveness and letting go.

****

I wrote a poem on peace called “Surrender to Now”. I’d love for you to read it, I’m opening to more creativity for Forgiving Fridays!

I love you.

Love, Debbie

 

Here are the guidelines of #ForgivingFridays:  

  • Every day is Friday!  Do a post today or anytime this week.
  • Be creative – there’s LOTS of space for your expression! Write a poem, take a photo, post a quote, share your story …  what opens your heart?
  • Tag your post with #ForgivingFridays
  • Create a pingback link to this post so I can find you. 
  • Have fun – you are awesome!!  

 

Here’s the poem on Peace:

Surrender to Now

Oh, it hurts, the

PAIN, it is unending

Torture, going through,

and through, and again

through my veins like tears I

cry when I think no one

is watching. Ah, it is said.

It is undiscovered territory,

What happens, ah Beloved of

Spirit’s love, when you

Say what you want

To withhold? Do you deny?

Do you come to yourself?

It is all the same, because

Beloved, you are the One

You Seek, You are the Good,

The Good, and one more

Time, the Good. It is

YOU. It always was.

Peace prevails on earth

Because it prevails in

You.

-Deborah

 

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45 thoughts on “Today’s Forgiving Fridays: Take the Road Less Traveled :)”

    1. Right? I agree! I’m in a coaching training for the next 5 days, and last night, we talked about the power of language. Just saying “I forgive” can bring in an energy of love. Blessings – have a fun weekend! ❤ Debbie

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  3. I love this post Debbie. How wonderful it would be if conflict and war – and the mention of them – could be replaced instead by mutual love, forgiveness and respect. You are setting the example for us all to follow. We DO need to start with ourselves. By changing “me”, we can then hope that the world will also change, maybe slowly only one person at a time, but one day, who knows. 🙂 Thank you so much for including me in your “line up”. I feel truly honoured. Blessings 🙂 xx

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    1. Judith, I love what you wrote! It’s so beautiful to have a vision for peace, and that it starts by changing our attitude ❤ You are a blessing and I am glad you are here. Your post about your experience with your mom taught me a lot about forgiveness and learning how to be present. Thank you. Love and more love your way!! xo Debbie

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  5. Awesome post, as usual, love the poem and love your spirit.

    This so resonates with me as you might aware.
    “I’m aware that a part of me doesn’t want to get free. If I truly forgive, and I’m not distracted by judgment, who would I be?”

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    1. YES! I so hear you Etta – and I relate. It is a powerful awareness … to realize where I’m placing my attention and to ask, What would I be / do / say if I place my attention with my heart?

      You are such an inspiration, Etta. Thank you for sharing on my blog and for the wisdom and encouragement that you bring to us all. Loving to you! Debbie

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    1. YES! You said it, Emily. I love this – making a choice to forgive and practice it every day. I am so glad to know you on this blog, and that you’re contributing to Forgiving Fridays. Reading your blog, and your comments here, gives me so much JOY.

      Have a great weekend, and blessings to Kev and your kitties, Debbie

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    1. DeBorah, I saw this! How cool is that? Replied on that post. 🙂 What blessings — you are such a creative Soul, DeBorah. That inspires and touches my heart. Have a wonderful Sunday and love love love to you. Debbie

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  16. Hello dear Debbie,
    This is so lovely.
    I found your message from the Wonder Woman movie very moving as is the message they are spreading.
    As for your initiative in the Mall, such a brilliant concept to spread the idea that we don’t just forgive others, but ourselves too….
    A beautiful poem to finish your treasure of a post, Debbie.
    Hugs to you from me 💐💕💕

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    1. Oh, Di, thank you! You are such a cheerleader for me, and for all of us on our blogging family. I really appreciate you a lot. Writing that poem was a big deal for me … starting to share my creativity more & I’m so glad that I am. It’s sharing my heart (like forgiveness).

      I hope you are doing amazingly well, Di. So glad to know you. Blessings, Debbie

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      1. Hello Debbie,
        Thank you for your lovely and very kind reply.
        Yes, it’s a huge deal to share creativity and if you ever need a little encouragement to keep going, Liz Gilbert has an awesome book (and YouTube clips!) called Big Magic about that very topic…keep writing dear Debbie…
        I’m doing well, thank you and I’m happy to know you too….😍💕💕

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    1. Thank you Lacey! It really wasn’t that hard once I focused on forgiveness …. it’s something that really opens peoples’ hearts (it certainly does mine). Maria was so lovely – I’m really glad I did it.

      I see YOU as super courageous Lacey. Have a great weekend, and feel free to contribute to Forgiving Fridays anytime. Love your blog. Debbie

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