[Posting a little early because I’m going on a work trip tomorrow! Love to all!]

Happy #ForgivingFridays everyone! Yay! This is an opportunity for you to let go and forgive.  You can do your post ANY DAY this week! Anything that inspires YOU to forgive and choose love – even if you’re struggling.  e.g., write a poem, share a quote or video, do an act of kindness, forgive yourself or someone else. 🙂 I look forward to see what you do!

Today’s Forgiving Fridays is what happens when you open to love.

This morning, I wrote a poem for #ForgivingFridays.  It’s about how love moves inside of me.  It is precious to me and vulnerable and authentic.  I’m sharing it with you below.

Then just a few minutes ago, my friend Liz wrote me a poem. (She’s an incredible artist.) She did that because I helped her with something.  I was so moved that I’m including it below as well.

When Liz first asked me for assistance, I was uncomfortable, because I wasn’t able to do as much as I thought I should. I gave what I could, and when she emailed me that poem, I cried with the caring of it.

I forgive myself for judging myself as not doing enough for my friend.

I so honor myself for showing up in the “messiness” of love – that there isn’t one clear way to be or do things – there is no right or wrong.  There is only having the courage to take care of myself and open my heart best I can.  This is such a gift for me, as I used to be scared to do this in relationships.

Self-Forgiveness is helping me to know and experience love. When I forgive, something happens inside of me. I let go of judgment and open to the love inside.  I create a safe space for me to be who I am, to extend this to others, to be willing to see and be seen, and to simply connect.

And sometimes a dear friend shows up and reminds me of this when I forget.

Liz, thank you.

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Poem #1 – My Poem on Love

(photo credit: David Sand)

“And the Love Is…”

In the grace of

the inside of you,

that you want so fervishly,

in the love of the

kiss you want in your

bedside prayers,

Forgive, dear one, the

love, the grace + oh

the kiss is already bestowed.

Ah, it is in one, the

one smile, that

in your twinkle of the mouth,

says

I forgive.

-D. Roth

*****

Poem #2: From My Friend Liz

“You Make Yourself Grow”

A poem for Debbie.

Like a tree

Pulling through the earth

Your roots are at your birth

The eternal sunshine in the sky

You shine down on yourself and grow and magnify

The water running down feeds those leaves every time you cry

And each and every moment is a silent I love you bye and bye 

As little birds on your branches sing you a lullaby 

Each time you grow stronger your love does amplify

And touch into those you do help learn to fly.

-Liz Bagish

(see more of Liz’ work here)

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Feel free to share your creativity too — forgiveness comes in many forms!

I love you.

Love,

Debbie

This is my contribution to RagTag’s challenge Freedom. 

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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 contributions from this week & some from last week too – they were magnificent:

Etta of Simply Etta D. gave us incredible keys on daring to be and shining our Light and gifts into the world.  Plus, she includes a great video – thank you Etta!

Pragalbha of Infinite Living shared a poem on living from our heart as an incredible place to live life from.  What a lyrical and happy poem – it inspired me!

Frank of Poetry, Short Prose and Walking contributed a gorgeous one-liner on the power of forgiveness to live life in all its beauty.  Includes a great photo!

Revived Writer shared how forgiveness helped her heal old memories of not speaking up at school.  What an act of love – and writing poetry now illustrates her incredible growth!

Miriam of Out an’ About gave us so valuable tips and techniques for us to let go of an overactive mind (God bless them). A wonderful way to forgive and be authentic!

In case you missed it from last week:

Anita of Healing Words wrote a heart-warming post on losing her dog and how she helped herself by listing what makes her heart sing. So simple and powerful!  Bless you, Anita. 🙂

Kathy of KE Garland started a new monthly blog post of consciously choosing to blog about someone or something great – positively on purpose.  How cool is that?

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!