Today’s Forgiving Fridays: The Way Out is Through

Posted on by Forgiving Connects

Happy #ForgivingFridays everyone! Yay! This is an opportunity for you to let go and forgive.  You can do your post ANY DAY this week! Whatever inspires YOU to forgive and choose love – even if you’re struggling.  e.g., try a poem, video, photo, or a story or inspiring quote, or how you did forgiveness today (that’s what I did).

Today’s Forgiving Fridays is The Way Out is Through.

Hi everyone!!  I’m back after a blogging break.  It is so good to be here, I’ve missed you and I carried you in my heart these past two months.

I woke up this morning with a phrase, “the way out is through”.   During my break, it’s been a tough period of time for me, where two dear friends died, and I went to New York revisiting a lot of old memories.

New York is a place where I used to drink and do bulimia.  Where I didn’t feel worth of expressing myself, or frankly of being me.

I was saying to someone yesterday how I want to learn from the past and not live in it.  Well, here I am with the memories so present from my kid-hood.  And I am willing to go through the upset and give myself love.

The thing is, I didn’t know myself as love then.  I thought I was ugly, fat, stupid, and alone.  I remember being a kid with a dorothy hamel haircut and space between my teeth and a pudgy (or so I thought) face.  I was so shy, and people teased me.  I remember being the daughter of a “crazy” mom.  I felt so unworthy.

Well, here I am to give that little girl love, to tell her that I think she is AMAZING and her smile is the most gorgeous smile I’ve ever seen.  To be the mom she always wanted.

I’m pausing a moment to breathe in the love I’m giving to myself.  That is so important, because it helps to give me an experience in my body of what it is.  (Right now, my body relaxed & I smiled.)

The forgiveness is so easy today.  It’s simply: I forgive myself for judging myself as unworthy to love and be loved.

I let this go.

I am grateful for the courage I have to look at what scares me.  The fear is a gift, because it’s showing me where next to love.

When I went back to NY this time, I was speaking at the U.N. Spiritual Caucus on forgiveness and how when we forgive, we make peace with ourselves inside.  I stood tall – and I know that little girl helped me be authentically me.

My partner took this one!
Selfie after speaking at the UN Spiritual Caucus

I did a video today on all this too, and I played a rendition of Amazing Grace.  There’s a line in the song that says, “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fear relieved….”  I play the piano to help me forgive, it bypasses my mind and I surrender to love.  (My mom played piano too – thank you mom.)  After I did it, I cried.  Here it is from my heart to yours:

 

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I am SO SO 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. shared 4 gorgeous posts while I was away.  Thanks so much Etta, each one is a gem!:

Imagine Greater, Dream Big

4 Things I’ve Learned the First Quarter of 2018

6 Inspirational Truths that will Keep You Going

Making Memorable Moments

Lacey of Big N’ Pinky Toes wrote a beautiful blog on her experience doing a forgiveness coaching session – with me!  Aww, Lacey, I’m so glad it supported you. 🙂

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I’d like to end with a Rumi quote that is so meaningful for me.  Because here’s the thing, as we go through the pain, we are never alone – love is with us every step of the way.

The Beauty of Your True Face Rumi 2 March 8 2018

I love you.

Love,

Debbie

***This post is my contribution for The Daily Post’s All Time Favorites and Frank’s Challenge, Height. Frank, it is good to be back – I missed your photo challenge!  At the UN, I stood tall in the love and gentle strength of who I am, in service to the peace intentions of the UN. Blessings!*** 

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!!  

Forgiving Fridays banner facebook

 

63 thoughts on “Today’s Forgiving Fridays: The Way Out is Through”

    1. Thank you so much, Frank! I was just about to post on your blog. 🙂 Speaking at the UN was pretty amazing. I hope you are doing really well, and that your trip to Vancouver was fantastic. Looking forward to seeing all the responses to your challenge this week! Blessings to you and your wife — Debbie

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    1. Oh DeB, really good to hear from you! Funny, I’m pretty close to Hollywood. 🙂 Thanks for your contribution to #ForgivingFridays, I’m excited to read your blog. Will go check it out now. Sending you ever so much love. Debbie

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  3. Last month I went to the art show of my fellow artist and museum security guard buddy and through her plus another friend there is a possibility of me having My very Own Art Show next spring 2019! This would be great because next year I will not only be retired from the museum but I will turn 60!! Yes the Big Six Ohhhh! LOL! All I have to do is fill out the application in October this year 2018 and I will get Free Gallery space for a short time period! Exciting!

    Here is another one of my acrylic painting gems: https://roamingurbangypsy.com/2018/05/26/kinetic-wheat-stalks/

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    1. Oh Robin, I am so glad to hear that this post was timely for you! You are quite welcome. 🙂 It’s lovely to connect with you. Be in touch if you ever want to.

      I’m doing really well. Thank you for asking!
      Blessings, Debbie ❤

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    1. Thank you so much! It’s excellent to be back. Someone shared with me to use everything for my advancement and learning – including our past. I love that approach! And attitude is so key like you wrote – love that.

      Blessings to you – so great to connect with you.
      Debbie

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    1. Oh I completely love this!!! I made more comments on your poem. It is so full of openness, honesty and compassion. Thank you for contributing this for #ForgivingFridays. I’m honored to share it this week. ❤
      Blessings, Debbie

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  12. Welcome back! You have been missed. Your trip to New York sounds so liberating, congratulations. Speaking at the UN must have been such a rewarding experience…….Wishing you nothing but love and light Debbie.

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    1. Thank you, Etta! YES the trip to NY was truly freeing for me, I so love that you saw that 🙂
      You are amazing – it was a great gift to go through all the blogs you posted for #ForgivingFridays while I was away. You give many keys for looking for the good and opening to love and our own strength. Yay!

      Much love and Light to you, Etta. Will go check out this week’s blog right now.
      Blessings, Debbie

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  13. So love the Rumi quote! Love is what we came here for! From a song, cannot remember which now! Here and now is a good morning – another one. And grateful for all of the blessings, so enriching. Light Beams to you, Debbie!

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    1. Oh Anne, I am so glad you’re here. 🙂 Your presence is full of loving and joy (I can feel it come off the page). I think the song may have been the Beatles? Sounds like them. Good weekend to you Anne. Light and love and so many blessings — Debbie

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  14. Helllooo my beautiful beautiful friend! I love reading from you in this space, WP becomes more lovely for me on Friday with your post. I have missed you 🙂
    Congratulations Galore on standing tall on a forum with such peace and love that you bring through your message of Forgiveness! The Rumi quote – I love it!!

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    1. Pragalbha, thank you! Going to the United Nations to share forgiveness was such a profound trip and experience. I sense it touched people in love.

      And having your presence on my blog is an incredible blessing to me. I hope you contribute one of your beautiful poems for #ForgivingFridays this week! Give your children my best. Hope you are doing so well, Pragalbha.
      Love,
      Debbie

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  17. My heart lit up to see you back on my feed…it sounds like your break was filled with growth & love…it shows on your face and in your words (I also took a moment to breathe and appreciate the wonderful connections we’ve forged on WP!). I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Debbie!

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    1. Oh Kimberlee, thank you! This comment went right into my heart. I felt like you gave me a virtual hug. 🙂 🙂
      I love that you took a breath to appreciate the many connections you’ve made in blogging — that is so important! You are so worth every blessings.
      Have a great weekend too,
      Debbie

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  18. Love Song written by Lesley Duncan and sung by Elton John. There are a few versions of it from Tumbleweed Connection. Brings tears to my eyes.

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  19. Love is so powerful indeed, I love that quote. Well it looks like you has a tough few months Deb, but you have emerged stronger and grown from your experience. You are a real inspiration and it’s great to have you back. Much love Xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Lorelle! It’s great to be back. Inwardly, I’m centered and relaxed. Even in the midst of what happened during my break — it was a precious gift, b/c I opened my heart even more. Lorelle, it’s so good to connect with you (I have a smile on my face right now). Hope you are doing great – and lovely to see you on my blog!
      Blessings,
      Debbie

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  20. Aw Debbie. I’m so sorry for your loss. What a truly wonderful post. Very glad you’re back. I was wondering where you were. Love the Rumi quote. You are so strong, so precious and so very inspiring! Blessings from Anita.

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    1. Thank you so much, Anita! I really appreciate your caring. And it’s good to be back.

      Isn’t the Rumi quote beautiful? I’m glad it touched you … you are quite a blessing, do you know that? ❤ Love, Debbie

      ps – If you have a blog post on forgiveness, on loving, compassion or other qualities of the heart, feel free to share for #ForgivingFridays! It is so good to have you here.

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  21. Welcome Back Debbie!! I know a lot of people are glad to see you here again! So exciting that you got to speak on yoru best topic at the UN caucus. And I know with the hard times you’ve been through, you’ve learned a lot and have a lot to tell us. Will be good to see what you write ahead… hugs!

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    1. Thank you, Rhonda! Your caring always comes through your comments. I really appreciate that, and you.

      I hope your family is doing really well, and you too ❤ Enjoy the reset of your week (and this great weather we're having in L.A.) Hugs xo Love, Debbie

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  23. Welcome back Debbie, it’s so good to see you here again, such a beautiful post. I’m so sorry you’ve been through this sad time. You’re so brave and I love the way you’ve embraced and worked through your path, returning to a place that held such memories but in a much stronger way. You’re an inspiration so keep shining your light and sharing your truth. Thank you also for your lovely rendition of Amazing Grace, a special song we played at my mum’s funeral. Big hugs and love to you xx 💙

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    1. Miriam, thank you so much! I really appreciate you — your encouragement and also that you listened all the way through my video. I didn’t know that Amazing Grace played at the funeral of your mom. That makes the song even more special to me. Sending you much love, Miriam. I am so glad you’re here. Hope you are doing well … will come have a visit to your blog now. Debbie

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      1. Yes, we actually played it at the cemetery when we laid mum to rest. It still gives me goosebumps when I hear it. To hear you play and sing it brought it back.
        Sending you much love and big hugs back Debbie. I’m well thanks, busy but well, and I hope you are too. xx ❤️

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  24. Debbie, you spoke at the U.N. Spiritual Caucus?!?! That sounds amazing! How did it go?

    I’m sorry about your friends and your struggle with your visit back to New York. There’s a place from my childhood like that for me too. I don’t ever have to go, but when and if I do it’s painful. I try to tell myself I’m a grown up now and move on, but that place seems to always hold those memories and feelings.

    Thanks for linking my post, such an awesome experience with you. I’m glad you are back 🙂

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    1. Hi Lacey! Speaking at the U.N. went great, thanks for asking! I talked about how peace starts inside and that forgiveness is a powerful pathway to peace. 🙂 You’re a sweetheart.

      I’m so glad we did the coaching session, it was a privilege. Hope you are doing really great, and wow! You’re getting farther along in your pregnancy! Many blessings to you, Lacey. Feel free to contribute to #ForgivingFridays (and email me!) anytime. Love, Debbie

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    1. Thank you! I so appreciate your focus on prayer, relaxing, and letting it happen, and that it is never too late to forgive. That is a gorgeous, caring perspective. Many blessings — Debbie 🙂

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    1. Oh thank you! I am touched that you watched the video through to the end. 🙂 It was a stretch for me to do. And super fun too.

      Have a great week. Looking forward to your post this Friday — you so make me laugh. Thanks for visiting. Blessings,
      Debbie

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