NOTE: This is my last #ForgivingFridays post until Friday October 13th. Please contribute over the next few weeks & I’ll do a list of all of them upon my return!! (I won’t be able to comment on your posts as I’ll be off email.)
Happy #ForgivingFridays everyone! Yay! This is an opportunity for you to share about forgiveness & post about it ANY DAY this week! See guidelines below. ❤ You can post whatever inspires YOU to forgive and choose love. Maybe it’s a poem, or a quote, or a photo — or even a quote on a photo like one of this week’s contributors!, or you can do a sharing like I did.
Today’s Forgiving Fridays is A Forgiving Vacation – and a Blessing!
I’m going on vacation tomorrow, so I’m doing this Forgiving Fridays post a little early. I want you all to know that I take you with me. (It’s a much-needed rest and peace retreat in a beautiful setting where I’ve never been before. ❤ )
I moved this past week. So I also wanted to talk about that before I go.
I became aware during my move how much of a prayer I have to know myself as home. I did a Practical Treatise on this for my doctoral degree (in spiritual science!). I have lived my life wondering where home was, and I am learning step-by-step that it is inside. What helps me do this is, you guessed it: Forgiveness and Letting Go.
That’s a lot of why I write this blog. I forgive myself – God, those are powerful words and choices to make. No matter what is going on outside of me, the forgiveness starts and ends with me. There is never a good enough reason to judge, to withhold my loving.
The other thing I want to share is: I LOVE MY HOME!!! 🙂 I put up a photo of my little girl next to my office space. I am starting to decorate and do those things that remind me how much nurturing I give to myself. My apt is right by the water, with outdoor space and a gorgeous, Light-filled peace inside and out!
My spiritual mentor John Morton offered me a blessing that relates directly to what I’m sharing here. In fact, he got it etched on a stone tile for me, with beautiful finish. Here is the blessing:
What I know is this: When I forgive, I let go and know that I am Beloved of God.
I know this because I live in the peace and compassion inside of my heart. I experience love as a radiant warmth moving through me and whispering, I am love. I heal and remember I am whole. I treat others with kindness and neutrality.
Do you have a blessing that you’d like to share? (If you don’t relate to God, feel free to put in another term that you do connect to!) This Forgiving Fridays, I invite you to forgive and let go, and to open to what love speaks inside of you. ❤
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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:
DeBorah of Roaming Urban Gypsy shared a group of photos that illustrate so beautifully how her brother Stephen inspires her to forgiveness, compassion, and a gentle strength.
Etta of Simply Etta D. highlighted really powerful ways to set healthy boundaries in relationship and to love the most important relationship – ourselves!
Nikki of the newly-restored A Kinder Way contributed a great post on how she realized how much she loves “A Kinder Way” and self-forgiveness and kindness. Way to go, Nikki.
Stella of Giggles & Tales wrote an amazing prayer and post to remind us that we are never alone, rather we are divinely supported with love and compassion.
Rebel Girl of Photogate chose a photo that brought her joy and put an exquisite quote on the image – so vulnerable and creative. Thank you so much. A first time contributor!
Frank of Poetry, Short Prose and Walking gave us a gorgeous prose, poem and audio recording (cool) on getting to the depths of who we truly are with forgiveness. A first time contributor!
And in case you missed it from last week:
Pragalbha of Infinite Living wrote an exquisite poem on coming to terms with the anger inside in such a self-honoring and compassionate way (I cried when I read it).
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I’ll end today with fun photos of my new home, plus a quote in the forward of my Practical Treatise. It’s on living in the home of your spiritual heart. See below.
Have an amazing few weeks! I love us all so much.
Love, Debbie
***This post is my contribution for The Daily Post’s Layered and Frank’s Challenge, Stones.***
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?
- Include #ForgivingFridays in your tags
- Create a pingback link to this post so I can find you.
- Have fun – you are awesome!!
Here’s the quote from my Treatise ❤ :
The heart knows the truth, and it is through the heart
that we perceive Spirit. When the spiritual heart is open,
then the spiritual eye is opened. Then love flows back and forth,
and the Soul is awakened to its glory. You are in paradise even
though you live in this physical world.
The physical body will still express emotional and
mental qualities, but your energies, your direction,
and your upliftment come from the Soul.
And that, Beloved, is a beautiful place to live.
-John-Roger, Living Love from the Spiritual Heart
Love love love John;s blessing! Happy New Home to you. See you soon!
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Thank you so much Anne! And on this International Day of Peace, my friend – I love you. God bless you. Peace, be still. 🙂
See you soon!
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May you have a refreshing and blessed vacation, Debbie!
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Thank you so much, Frank! And thanks again for your contribution for Forgiving Fridays. I found it so moving. Blessings to you for a great few weeks. ❤ Debbie
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Happy Forgiving Friday! ❤ Have a restful and rejuvenating vacation! You Deserve it! Love your new space.
Leaving you some Brooklyn Magic: https://roamingurbangypsy.com/2017/09/21/quirky-new-york-brooklyn-magic/
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I love your presence so much DeBorah! You are full of love. Thank you for the Brooklyn Magic 🙂 I’ll have a look upon my return – something to look forward to. Have a beautiful few weeks. Blessings of joy – Debbie
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Yay DeB – I had time to look at this blog! It’s awesome 🙂 🙂 Your creativity – and the creativity of New York – is such a manifestation of love and peace. That is my experience when I look at them. Beautiful. Have a blessed few weeks, and Light and love to your brother Stephen too, Debbie
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Have a wonderful break Debbie, you so deserve it. Blessings, gabrielle
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Gabrielle, thank you so much! I’m at the airport! Many blessings to you and to those you love. ❤
See you when I return. Debbie
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It is nice that you are also open for people not following any of the diverse gods here on Earth like me. To repeat: we need more bridges like this worldwide. Wishing you very nice holiday-time! I will leave shortly for 10 days to Portugal getting a bit more sun, etc. pp. Best wishes @ Ulli
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That sounds wonderful Ulli! Have a great time in Portugal.
It’s funny, because one thing I almost wrote is how I know myself as Beloved because of the integrity and honoring with which I treat others. Thank you for capturing that. I am so glad to know you.
Many blessings Ulli! (I’m in Madrid airport as I type this. 🙂 ) Debbie
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Hi, Debbie,
Such a wonderful day on this “Forgiving Fridays.” I hope you will have a great vacation and return more refreshed to serve us your wonderful and well-penned thoughts. Have fun and keep the warm spirit flowing. 🙂
Today, I turned up here quite early and I’m so happy about it. Yes, I made a post about ‘YOU’. Because it takes you, us, to succeed in life. It takes you to define your goals and work hard at them. It takes YOU… to be whatever you set your mind to. Check out the link.
Blessings to you. Enjoy your vacation and see you soon.
https://simpledimplesite.blog/2017/09/22/it-takes-you/
Xoxo
Stella. 🙂
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Yippee, Stella! I love your contribution to ForgivingFridays. You hold a presence of peace. Just commented on your post. 🙂 🙂 I’ll add it to my next blog when I return from vacation. So many blessings, my friend. And a lot of love! Debbie
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Happy for you! It’s a beautiful home Debbie. Enjoy your well deserved vacation and tell us all about it upon your return. Be safe and have a blast!!
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Bernice, thank you so much. I’m at Madrid airport waiting for my connecting flight to Santiago for a peace retreat. Life is good. YOU are a blessing! Have a great few weeks, and take good care of yourself – Debbie
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Have a wonderful vacation Debbie!!
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Thank you, Emily. You too! 🙂 I’ll look forward to more kitty Thursdays upon my return. 🙂
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Happy Vacation to you, Debbie!
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Jennie, thank you! I’m at the airport so doing a blog check. 🙂 You are a sweetheart. Have a beautiful few weeks. Blessings to your kids, and to you Jennie — Debbie
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You, too! 🙂
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What a beautiful blessing Debbie. I hope you have a wonderful retreat. 🌼
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Brigid, thank you. I’m in Europe – we’re on the same continent. 🙂 About to go into a peace retreat.
One of the things I love about you is that when I read your words, I feel such an essence of caring and loving. Thank you, Brigid! Have a beautiful few weeks, and enjoy many gardens. ❤ Blessings of peace, Debbie
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Thank you Debbie. Enjoy your retreat 🌼
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A move and vacation! Lots of big things happening. I love and appreciate any time I can get away and unplug, and I know you do too. Have a great time, but you will be missed!
Love the pics of the new place 🙂
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Aww, Lacey thank you! I’m typing this from the airport as I’m waiting for a connecting flight. 🙂 🙂 You are such a breath of fresh air. Have a blessed weekend with your family and a great few weeks. Love Love Love, Debbie ❤
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Debbie! I finally joined this Forgiving Fridays! I am a little late but I had a bit trouble with uploading! I also did the hashtag forgiving fridays, yay! I really liked this blogpost again! I really like the look of your new home. I hope you feel happy in it! – Love, Anne (ps, here is the link to my blogpost: https://beautybyadutchgirl.com/2017/09/22/lets-talk-about-peace-%E2%99%A5-forgivingfridays/#more-5895)
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Hi Anne, Oh I am so excited! Good for you. 🙂 I read it & your writing of your experience is BEAUTIFUL.I’ll go and comment on it now. Thank you for your beautiful contribution on forgiveness and peace. And thank you for your well wishes on my home! You are a sweetheart. Blessings, Debbie ps – YAY! 🙂
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Such big shifts Debbie! I wish you the most amazing time on your retreat, will eagerly wait for your return. Lots of Love!
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Thank you so much! I’m at the airport waiting for my connecting flight. Love to you! Feel free to contribute to Forgiving Fridays with your beautiful poetry (or another post that your heart calls you to). I’m happy to post about it when I return. Peace, and so many blessings to you – Debbie
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Have a wonderful vacation, Debbie! Many blessings to you. 🙂 Hang
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Hang, so good to hear from you! Thank you! 🙂 I’m at the airport and sending you big smiles. Blessings – Debbie
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I’ve probably just missed you but wanted to wish you well, your new home looks beautiful and I bet, when you come back from your retreat, it will seem even more so! Take care,until next time, Kim!
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Hi Kim, thank you so much! You’re right – my home feels even more beautiful upon my return. I went to Spain and Portugal on a peace journey (we place blessings wherever we go). It was really moving.
Feel free to contribute to Forgiving Fridays if you want to ❤ All you need to do is a post with something that relates to forgiveness and include a pingback to this post and #ForgivingFridays in your tags. It would be lovely to have your unique expression as a part of it!
Many blessings to you — Debbie
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What a lovely invitation, I appreciate this so much and will keep Forgiving Fridays in mind for a future post! It sounds like your journey was beautiful…my thoughts are with you and your fellow Californians this day.
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Thank you so much, Kim. ❤ Blessings to you! ~Debbie
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My pleasure!
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I so love the personal blessing from John, such a kind thought! Congratulations with your new home Debbie, we wish you a very happy time there and enjoy your vacation! :o) xxx
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Thank you so much, Xenia! I just got back last night. It was an amazing vacation, full of peace and blessings. I am so looking forward to Forgiving Fridays – I see that you posted a contribution. Yay ❤ I'll look at it soon. Sending you and Elvor and Pearl love. ~Debbie
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Thank you Debbie, so good to hear you had an amazing time! ☺💖 xxx
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What a lovely post, Debbie! Blessings to you on your vacation! Have fun!
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Thank you, Mary! Good to connect with you. I just got back, and your comment put a smile on my face. 🙂 Blessings to you — Debbie
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I hope your vacation was special, Debbie!❤️
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It was so beautiful, Mary. ❤ Hope you are doing wonderfully too! Blessings, Debbie
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I am, relishing autumn days and living life in the best way. Hugs to you!💜😁
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What a beautiful gift that is! I do hope you have a restorative vacation ❤
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Thanks, Kathy! I know you appreciate the gift of this blessing …. seems right up your alley.
I had an amazing vacation. Hope you are doing really well. Good to be back and up on my blog.
Sending you blessings, and much loving, Kathy. – Debbie
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So exciting that you’re settling in Debbie!! Are you still in L.A.?? And vacation sounds lovely— this time of year it’s not too hot and can be so restful to be away. Enjoy every moment!! Hope we get to hear about it when you get back! hugs hugs friend.
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Thank you so much, Rhonda! Yep, I’m still in LA — moved to Santa Monica.
I saw your other comment as well. You are a sweetheart, thank you for your caring. I feel so loved.
Hope you are doing well. Sending you big hugs xo
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Santa Monica?! That’s lovely. We like to spend a day there now and then (it’s just such a drive from OC). Love the beach and a favorite little tapas place. Hope it’s starting to really feel like home! blessings to you Debbie! xo
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Hello dear Debbie,
You sound so at peace and happy in your new home. What a beautiful gift from your dear friend.
Wishing you a wonderful time away.
Hugs from Di 🙋🏻💕💕
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Thanks, Di! It was an amazing vacation — full of peace work. We walked in Spain and Portugal and placed blessings of Light and love. How are you settling into your new home? I hope it is amazing for you.
I forgot, did you want me to connect you with my friends in London? They are wonderful & do neat spiritual events (if you’re interested in that). Sending you lots of joy for your new home, Di. So glad you’re here.
Debbie
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Hello dear Debbie,
Your trip sounds life changing and so wonderful. I’m happy for you.
Yes, thank you, just today we will have our first full day in our new place. We have been in London nearly four weeks already.
I’d love the names of your friends please…I’m nearly ready to branch out and join some things and meet new people. If they are close by and have something I’d love to get involved in, that would be great.
My email is di-j@bigpond.com
Thank you again for your lovely news and kind reply.
Hugs and love,
from Di 💚💐
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Oh Di, that’s wonderful! I’ll email you with a dear friend in London that you can start with. So happy for you with your new home! Sending a big column of Light and love for much nurturing, joy and peace for you and your husband. Love to you Di and big hugs ❤ Debbie
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Thank you so much dear Debbie. That will be wonderful, and so will receiving your big column of light over here where we are living now.
Big hugs and gratitude from me 💜💜🌈🌈
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Hi Debbie, I hope you are having an amazing vacation! My contribution for this week is here: https://forgivingconnects.com/2017/09/22/todays-forgiving-fridays-a-forgiving-vacation-and-a-blessing/
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Apologies, I pasted the link to your own post above! The correct link is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2017/10/05/tanka-indian-summer/
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Ha ha, no worries Xenia! That’s adorable 🙂
I’ll go and check out your contribution now. I love that you are sharing your heart for Forgiving Fridays. It really touches me, and my readers too.
Hope you had a great few weeks. This is great.
Debbie
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Thank you Debbie and you are very welcome 💜 I hope you enjoyed your vacation and that it gave you what you were looking for ☺💖 xxx
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Missing your posts Debbie– hope all is going well and you are settling in happily. hugs from here!
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Oh Rhonda, thanks so much! I just got back last night. I’ll post another Forgiving Fridays on Friday 🙂
Hope you are doing well and that your family is so happy. Lots of blessings — Debbie hugs xo
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thanks Debbie– were doing well. Had our kids in this weekend for a family celebration– always crazy fun! hugs to you.
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Wonderful
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Aww Shiva, thank you! ❤ So lovely to read your comment. Blessings, Debbie
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