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 loving it all like I did. Or simply do a post with two words, “I Forgive”. (See guidelines below )
Today’s Forgiving Fridays is loving it all.
I just got back from a week long retreat. My phone was off, and so was my computer.
I spent a week looking inside my heart. I learned so much about acceptance and letting go, and in that space, I experienced such peace, calm, and love.
And now here I am in daily life. I am about to move and I’m worried about that. There is so much going on in the world, and so much opportunity for upset.
Right now, I feel overwhelmed. A key for me is to start inside – with accepting and loving me. To pause and ask myself, “How can I love right now?”
What I hear is to forgive myself.
I feel so scared about moving. I feel guilty about my concern given all that’s happening in the world. I don’t feel like I’m making sense in this blog. I forgive myself for judging myself for feeling these things.
I forgive myself for judging it all – the bombs, my own fear, and every little nitty gritty thing in life.
I don’t know where I’m moving, or what will happen with this world. What I know is that I want to share forgiveness through traveling …. and that there is so much opportunity to see all of it – every little nitty gritty thing in life – as love.
What if there were a different way to live? What if each of us are a part of each other? ❤
There’s an alley I walk through to get to my room. I may never see this alley again. I’m ready to move on and up for the adventure. (In fact, it’s right up my alley 🙂 )
On this Forgiving Fridays, I choose to forgive myself, let go of what I think I know, love it all — and open to where love leads me. To be continued!!
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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 REALLY love and take care of ourselves.
DeBorah of Roaming Urban Gypsy took a collage of photos and showed us the endless compassion in the view that is exquisite.
Di of Matters For The Heart gifted us with a heartfelt sharing on self-acceptance and loving – I learned a lot!
Emily of Zombie Flamingos did a really creative process with photos to illustrate her judgment and forgiveness on going back to work.
Pragalbha of Infinite Living contributed a wonderful poem on fully living life and trusting ourselves.
And a new contributor ❤ :
Bernice of SpiritualJourney17 shared a prayer for forgiveness to illustrate the powerful ways we can make a wish to choose love.
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When I came back from my retreat, I took a photo on the plane. See below. I’d love for you to send blessings to my next steps, I’m really taking a leap of faith!
I love you.
Love, Debbie
ps – I’m aware re-reading this blog that I am struggling a bit with loving myself right now. That is so ok! ❤ I am accepting myself where I am. (Isn’t that such a key for forgiveness?)
***This post is my contribution for Nikki’s prompt, The Bright Side, The Daily Post’s prompt, Solitary and Frank’s Challenge, Alley. Frank, I used a few definitions of alley. 🙂
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 my photo from the plane after the retreat!:
I was eagerly looking forward to your post about your retreat! 🙂 I love your courage that is filled with so much gentleness and love that you pour in all your perspectives. Your What-if questions are so rich and open to the adventures of life. Wish you the best with ease and joy!
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Hi Beloved!! Thank you so much. Your comment was so rich with caring – my heart felt held in a big hug. ❤ I appreciate you & you contributed so much to this Forgiving Fridays with your poem!
Love, Debbie
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My heart received a big hug too 🙂 Thank you.
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I love your sincerity!
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well said, adventursofabusymomcom – I totally agree! love this, forgivingconnects 🙂
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Thank you so much da-AL! I love that you are here & we’re connected via Bernice at SpiritualJourney17. You have a gorgeous blog and presence. Have a beautiful week – Debbie
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Thank you so much Lacy! My posts come from my heart. ❤ So glad that it touched you & that you're here. Have a beautiful and blessed week, Debbie
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Debbie a great piece. I feel that one shouldnt feel guilty about your fear, in comparision to all the madness in the world it doesnt make you less caring. Dont be so hard on yourself.
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You are a sweetheart. Bella, thank you! So glad to know you, you carry so much compassion. Blessings, Debbie
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Thank you Debbie
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ps i just posted my crazy giveaway – you might like to try
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Welcome back Debbie – I can only imagine the contrast between your retreat and then coming home to see what’s happening in the world. You are such a bright light that makes the world a little better. No need to feel guilty, you are a blessing to many! When I feel fear for a change in the future, I like to focus on the feeling of curiosity. So instead of thinking about what I won’t have, I try to feel curious. It’s like Christmas morning. You don’t know exactly what will happen, but that’s okay.
I wish you the best for the next adventure in your life! ❤
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I agree – looking at change with curiousity and mindfulness helps me embrace it!
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Emily, you said it! Both of your comments really helped me look at this as an adventure (and I’m remembering that I am truly taken care of, too). Have a great week, and thank you! You are awesome. Debbie
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Oh I completely love this! Thank you, both for the compassion and the encouragement. I shared your comment about it being Christmas morning with my partner. 🙂 🙂 Have a beautiful week. It is certainly an adventure isn’t it? Much love.
Blessings, Debbie
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Nice observation: “What if each of us are a part of each other?” We probably are.
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I’m with you, Frank! We probably are. Love is a guiding light for me in knowing more about how we’re all connected. Thank you for your comment, for reminding me of that awareness, and just for being here. 🙂 Blessings, Debbie
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Have a wonderful Weekend Deb. Peace to all. 🙂
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Aww thanks so much!! I had a beautiful weekend. Very restful & saw a beautiful retreat-like home as a possible place to live. Hope your week is wonderful. Peace to you and ever so many blessings, Debbie
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That sounds lovely. Are you looking for a new place?
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Yep! Just started to this weekend. ❤ The blessings abound … learning how to see this even more now. it's quite an adventure of abundance and gratitude (and trust).
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That’s great. Well good luck with it all. X
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Hello dear dear Debbie,
I love your post this week. There is a softer way of receiving yourself, I feel. It begins with the love you mentioned and ‘what if each of us were a part of each other..’ is so beautiful.
I understand your thoughts about moving on and the need for change too. I’m also in the process as you know.
Your contributors this week have some lovely posts, and I just want to thank you for your kind thoughts about mine. They mean a lot.
Wishing you well on your path that is the unknown…wonderful things can enter when we don’t really know where we are going, I believe.
Sending love and care to you Debbie 💐♥️
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Hi Di! Thank you so much for your love and gentleness …. it reminded me to give myself the space to explore and be astonished by the blessings. 🙂 I am wishing you so much grace on your moving process. Be in touch anytime if you want to (weloveyou@forgivingconnects.com).
Thank you again for your contribution to Forgiving Fridays this week. Your post added so much wisdom to my blog – truly a gift. I hope you are aware of that!!! ❤
Have a blessed week ahead, and know that you have a Light cheerleader for you in Los Angeles. Love and hugs, ❤
Debbie
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Hello lovely Debbie,
Thank you for your beautiful reply and your kindest wishes about my move.
It was a pleasure to contribute to your blog and I have to say thank you though for reminding me that my post really was about forgiveness…
I have taken a screenshot of your email. That’s such a kind offer, thank you my friend.
The thought you are my Light cheerleader is such a comforting thought. I love it. And may I also extend the same support to you in return? From me in Melbourne and and London!
Very proud of our connection. Thank you so much Debbie.
Love and hugs to you and may you continue to be astonished by the blessings coming your way 💜💐💜
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I would love that Di! Thank you for offering your cheerleading for me. I am touched 🙂 🙂 🙂 and I accept! So glad that we know each other. May you also experience the blessings of love coming your way. Thanks Di! Hugs and more hugs ❤ ❤
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You have my support dear Debbie…
Thank you for your special message.
Love, care and hugs from me 🌺♥️
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Many blessings of love Light and Grace for these exciting next steps on your adventure called Life!
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Oh, Anne, thank you so much! When I read your comments, I’m present to the amazing grace that walks with us on this path of life. Thank you for the presence of joy you bring to my blog. I love you. God bless you. Peace, be still. 🙂 Debbie
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Hi Debbie, it sounds as though you’ve been on quite a journey and not just in the physical sense. I know what it feels like to be off the grid and then suddenly be thrust back into a busy crazy world. Hold onto that peace and calm you found on the retreat. It’s in you. Thank you for your honesty in this post, none of us are perfect and we’re all finding out way to peace and self acceptance. Don’t be afraid of change or of fear, all such human emotions and challenges. I wish you well my friend. Beautiful heartwarming post. xo
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Miriam, thank you so much!! I’m so glad to reconnect with you. As I wrote on your blog post (which was awesome, by the way), I was just thinking of you. 🙂 🙂
This line particularly touched me: “none of us are perfect and we’re all finding out way to peace and self acceptance.” There’s an exquisite loving in your words, Miriam.
Have a blessed week. And YES, change is a gift of Spirit …blessing for our week ahead. ❤
Debbie
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Hope you have a blessed week ahead too Debbie. And thank you my lovely friend, I meant every word to you, from the heart. xo 💕
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Accepting oneself is the first step to loving oneself. You are so right on that.
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Jennie, I love that you shared this … acceptance is one of the keys that I share with clients as a foundation for forgiveness. I am certainly walking my talk, right? ❤ Thank you for your comment, your blog is a gift & I'm honored that you are a reader of mine. Blessings, Debbie
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Yes, you are walking the talk, Debbie. Thank you for your kind words! 🙂
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Greetings Debbie! Welcome back from your retreat. Sending you this butterfly and sunflower from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. http://roamingurbangypsy.com/2017/08/10/favorite-flower-of-the-day/
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DeBorah, I just went to visit your blog post – I love it! You have such a creative gift for sharing your expression of forgiveness. Gorgeous butterfly. It is an honor to have you read my blog & thank YOU for contributing for Forgiving Fridays. Big smiles from across the states to you, DeB. You are a blessing. Debbie
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I can feel your excitement and trepidation – yes, there is serious stuff going on in this world but we cannot feel guilty for trying to live our lives in the middle of it it especially if our light is shining bright – keep on shining and all the best as you take your next steps. Your picture of your alley is absolutely beautiful!
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Oh thank you! Your comments brightened up my heart. ❤ I really appreciate you and the caring you bring to your comments and blog posts. Blessings to you and all those you touch. Debbie ps – isn't the alley beautiful? I've been staying at a gorgeous place of peace. Even the alley is full of beauty. ❤
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It’s gorgeous and full of possibilities…
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I nominated you for the Unique Blogger Award! Congratulations! https://adventuresofabusymom.com/2017/08/19/unique-blogger-award-1-2/
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Oh thank you so much!! That is really nice. 🙂
I have an award-free blog, and I am grateful and touched by the nomination. I really get your caring. Many blessings, and have a beautiful week ahead. Debbie
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Buona domenica Debbie ❤
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Thank you, Simona! ❤ Have a beautiful week. Debbie
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Welcome Back! I truly believe that we all are a part of one another; there is no separation. The sooner we can realize this, the sooner we can truly LOVE with no boundaries or conditions.
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God, Kathy, this is a beautiful comment. I read it out loud to my partner, because I was touched by the truth of it. You have such love … and we all do that’s the point, right? ❤
Sending you blessings. Good to be back and looking at next steps from my heart.
Love you, Kathy — Have a fantastic week. Debbie
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Thanks Debbie! Love you too 🙂
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Debbie, it sounds like you’re living a continual adventure filled with wonderful discoveries. I look forward to following each and every step of your journey!
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Oh, Frank – thank you! That means a lot coming from you. So glad to know you on these blogs & through your (awesome 🙂 ) photo challenge. Blessings to you and your wife too, Debbie
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This is an amazing Post.
Congrats!
Shiva
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Shiva, thank you! And I’m so glad you’re here. Welcome. 🙂 Debbie
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Hi Debbie. I am just catching up from being away myself. You ate going through a huge transformation and I wish you many blessings for your oneard journey. I am looking forward to hearing of your next steps. 🌼🌼🌼
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Thanks so much, Brigid! I am grateful that you’re on this journey with me. Your support is very touching … I was just thinking of you this morning on my run, and I put you in the Light. ❤ Welcome back, and blessings. Hope you had a wonderful time away. (sounds great) ~Debbie
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Hi Debbie,
So sorry I had a brief hiatus here but hey, I’m back okay. So how have you been? I hope you are great and doing what you love doing most. It’s always a great idea to take time off to be at peace with one’s body, mind, and soul. It’s refreshing and rejuvenates the human psyche. Thanks for a beautiful post as always. Thank you for always spreading positivity to others.
The below link is my post towards this week’s offering. Remain blessed and happy. Hugs from Moi. 🙂
https://simpledimplesite.blog/2017/08/25/form-good-alliances/
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Yippee Stella!!! I am so glad you’re back. Funny, because I see that you are always contributing to Forgiving Fridays with your peace and your beauty. You are truly amazing. 🙂
I am becoming so aware of my beauty, Stella. That’s what I’m present to today. My beauty and the opportunity to see beauty in everyone and every situation. The retreat opened me to such beauty through the gorgeousness of nature and looking inside my heart.
Love to you Stella! Happy Forgiving Fridays. ❤ Debbie
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Moving is always overwhelming. I think I’d be worried about you if you didn’t feel that way!
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Oh Lacey, thank you! It’s really an exercise in trusting my inner guidance and faith that Spirit has got my back. 🙂 I just did a Facebook live video on this earlier today … went to view my first apartment. (Wow) Blessings to you and your family, Lacey. ~Debbie
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I’ll go back and find it and watch it!!
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How was the retreat Debbie?? What sort of topics did you talk about? What other people were there? Did you have a chance to write during the week? Hope it was so worthwhile. xoxox
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Hi beautiful Rhonda! It was amazing. Right on the water near old woods and a path. The retreat space was circular so the energy was peaceful, calm and relaxed. My spiritual mentor (John Morton) came for a q&a one day, and the other days were full of meditation, stillness, and processes to look inside. Such a blessing. I love that you asked. Wrote poetry every day.
Love to you, Rhonda. Hugs! Debbie
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Sounds beautiful and so worthwhile Debbie– are you collecting your poetry to publish?? I love it when you share it with us… xox
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Such a special idea to feel connected to all, it would be a wonderful world if we could just see each person’s good qualities and not dwell on ours or their mistakes. Peace be with you! 🕊 I live a much simpler life when things got lost from divorce and circumstances. I am finally ten years on my own, with children and grandchildren close by. This is the year I plan to go see my college roommate, down in Mississippi. It will be the first time on a plane since I was in my twenties! Yikes! 😊😀 I am 61, but my blog used to be about dating and I still occasionally will talk about this. My byline changed to “Relationships reveal our hearts 💓.” This covers so much of my life and feelings. ~Robin
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Oh Robin, I love this! Firstly, I’d love to hear what it’s like for you to go on a place for the first time since your 20s 🙂 Also, your by line is fantastic. Funny, because I just posted a comment on your About page on how relationships can be a mirror for our own next steps in loving ourselves … and seeing ourselves as beautiful. (I didn’t realize that you changed your blog focus – good to know)
Hope you are having a gorgeous week. Welcome to my blog!! Blessings, Robin – Debbie
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