It’s #ForgivingFridays – yay! Today’s topic is Forgiveness and Choosing Peace

Posted on by Forgiving Connects

Happy #ForgivingFridays everyone! Yay!

This is a creative prompt for you to write a post on letting go and forgiving, or what happens when you do that.  You can do your post ANY DAY this week!

It can be anything that inspires YOU to choose love – or it can even be something you’d LIKE to let go of.  e.g.: write your experience, share a poem or photo, do a video, and/or  forgive yourself or someone else. 🙂 Go for it!!

On voting day, I went to the county seat in Los Angeles to cast my vote.  The line was wrapped around the building!  And wherever I turned, it seemed that people were uncomfortable, and it was the same with people I spoke with in the days leading up to the election.  I observed a lot of hurt, blaming, and overall not a lot of neutrality.

Forgiveness and Choosing Peace Nov 9 2018
This is how far I was from the voting building! Can you see the lineup of people? 🙂

I decided to do a video right then and there.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity to open up to forgiveness and peace.  I’m sharing the video here with you, firstly because I’m so proud I did it & also it contains such great keys for living in peace no matter what’s happening around you:

 

I encouraged people that however they vote, to vote in love and extend that loving to everyone around them.  That they can still have preferences and cast their vote in peace – without holding judgment about how others do it.  And, we are all one in love. I encouraged people to be compassionate and empathetic, and to speak kind words to each other.

In some ways, every day is voting day.  As I go through my daily life, there will be people I don’t agree with – sometimes strongly.  And there are times where I may not want to “vote for myself”.  The thing is, I always have an opportunity to choose peace inside and cease any againstness in my own consciousness.  When I do that, it’s easier to live in the home of my own heart.

I was nervous / excited to do this video.  It was a big deal to me, because for the first time, I was expressing a forgiveness perspective in a public issue important to so many.  And I got out of my comfort zone and did it.

It reminds me of an adventure I had last year.  I went to a mall and held up a sign “Forgive?  Ask me!” And I spoke with a lovely older woman and her son.  He shared with me how he and his mom are reconciling their relationship, that forgiveness is so important for them, and how much he loves her.

However you do it, I invite you to reach out and connect today.  To extend your caring to someone else, maybe even someone you think is “wrong” or “bad”.  What if there is something greater than right or wrong?  (My partner David wrote recently, “When people ask me who I was in a past life, I say I was either St. Francis or Adolf Hitler. I put no human experience outside of me.”)

 

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And if  you’re struggling with letting go of judgment, maybe just try it out simply.  🙂  I love Mother Teresa’s quote, “Peace begins with a smile.”  Funny b/c David did a photo of me as Mother Teresa – maybe that’s who I was in a past life!

When I was in Israel, I spoke to a young man who was studying in a Yeshiva.  I said how I was there for the International Day of Peace.  He said to me, for me every day is a day I try to have peace.

I love us all!

Love,
Debbie

**This post is my contribution by Trent’s The Weekly Smile (so full of positivity!), Sue Vincent’s Thursday #writephoto Calm and Frank’s Comfort.**

❤

#FORGIVINGFRIDAYS POSTS FOR THIS WEEK (and some from last week too!)

Etta of Simply Etta D. shared her wisdom on choosing beliefs that support her and invites each of us to look at what brings meaning and joy to your life.  So powerful!

DeB of Roaming Urban Gypsy contributed a great photo collage of fall foliage at a park in Brooklyn. What a beautiful depiction of the peace and soothing forgiveness found in nature.  So creative!

Frank of Poetry, Short Prose and Walking wrote a poem with a gentle invitation to let go of judgment into the promise of Spring.  What a creative way to illustrate the hope of forgiveness!

Ali of Flashlight Batteries contributed a poem on letting go of blame and opening to a fresh start.  It’s beautiful and a stand for kindness and empathy. Thank you Ali!

Pragalbha of Infinite Living gave a wonderful encouragement for each of us to choose love, forgiveness and acceptance  for ourselves and others, no matter how people behave toward you. Includes a Kauai photo from her husband!

Revived Writer wrote a poem on the great importance of opening our hearts to love, no matter what the outcome. This takes such courage and willingness. Beautiful!

Kira of Eat.Create.Repeat gave us a story on how forgiveness is a safe road out of the judgments into who we truly are – free, forgiven, and completely loved.  A first time contributor – welcome!

Ivor of Ivor Plumber Poet contributed a poem and photo on the simple beauty of nature and how timeless and yet endangered it is. A first time contributor – welcome!

Emily of Zombie Flamingos took a host of photos at different shutter speeds.  What’s especially courageous is that she took all the photos in one go and did something new outside of her comfort zone. Way to go Emily!

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

David Sand photography

 

33 thoughts on “It’s #ForgivingFridays – yay! Today’s topic is Forgiveness and Choosing Peace”

    1. I so hear you and I’m really glad you brought this up. It’s a good question. What a painful experience that must be for those girls. Best I can tell you is that there’s great freedom in letting go of judgment that what someone else does is right or wrong. My own mother was murdered by someone that I know, and I speak from experience. I don’t know the answer to “how you do it”, what I do know is that love is greater than all of it. And Self-forgiveness is a key that I use to let go and access that deeper awareness of love.

      I wrote a number of blog posts on this very subject. Happy to send these along to you, if you’d like to read them. Email me at weloveyou@forgivingconnects.com, or simply respond here.

      Rumi has a quote that you may find valuable: “Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” I hope this helps a bit, and again I’m happy to speak with you further anytime!
      Blessings, Debbie

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  2. Whew yeah this did seem like an extra charge election didn’t it? I have a hard time watching videos on my computer, but I’ll try to check it out on my phone later. Good job stepping out of your comfort zone though.

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    1. Thanks, Lacey! If you get a chance to watch the video, let me know what you think. There’s lots of keys to experience peace – – no matter what’s happening around you. Sending you much love, and to your little one as well. 🙂 Be good to yourself, Lacey. Blessings, Debbie

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  3. I’m happy that you encouraged the voters to vote in love and that you stepped outside of your comfort zone. You are a flowering tree with forgiveness-braches reaching out everywhere. Thanks also for sharing the slideshow.

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    1. You are a sweetheart. Thank you! And thank you again for your beautiful contribution to #ForgivingFridays. Your poem is so courageous and so demonstrates your willingness to lovey.
      Have a great week filled with love 🙂 Blessings,
      Debbie

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  5. Hi Debbie, no voting in Australia for us, although we do have an election in two weeks. Good on you for doing the video, such a strong message you’re putting out there and so needed for today’s world. I love what you wrote: “The thing is, I always have an opportunity to choose peace inside”, that’s so true and it’s so important. Keep well and stay at peace my friend. xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Miriam. I appreciate you sharing what it’s like in Australia, my friend. I didn’t know that! YES, peace is always a choice. Such a good intention, isn’t it? I see you choosing peace all the time with your blog, Miriam. You have such an uplifting and loving presence. I really mean that – I am so grateful to know you. Sending you BIG blessings from across the pond. Maybe someday we’ll get an opportunity to meet, who knows? 🙂 Love and Light, Debbie

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    1. Thank you, Miriam! It’s so important for me to bring awareness to peace in circumstances that seem difficult. I really appreciate your encouragement and caring. How cool that you posted the Mother Teresa quote as well. Which blog post was that?

      Blessings to you, Miriam – and congratulations again on publishing your book!
      Debbie

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  7. Hi Debbie,

    My comment was not able to be posted. Just thought I would let you know.

    Here it is

    I am right with you voting for peace, love and forgiving. Do not have to wait for election day for this vote. And in addition, I vote for grace, prosperity and stillness. Loving you.

    Blessings, Anne

    >

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Hi Anne, Oh I’m sorry you had trouble posting your comment. I did see this one. And it’s beautiful! Your votes are AWESOME – so on track with forgiveness and choosing love. Thank you for being here and bringing such an uplifting consciousness to my blog. You are an incredible Presence. I love you! Debbie

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  8. Debbie, I love your perspective of voting. I voted for not only me but for our country. It’s easy to get sucked into negativity when it comes to politics but you are so right. We must all vote with peace and love. ❤️👍

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    1. Mary, thank you! I’m so glad that my post resonated for you and I love how you voted for yourself and the country. I hear and appreciate the caring you have for the election and voting process. And I so acknowledge you for voting with peace and love!! Hugs to you, Mary. Have a wonderful week. ~Blessings, Debbie

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  10. Hi! When I was putting together the recap for The Weekly Smile this didn’t show up as a ping back. I remembered the post so I came and checked – I see you put it in, so I’m not sure why it didn’t show up. Anyway, just a FYI 🙂

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    1. Oh Anita, I love you. God bless you. Peace, be still. How beautiful that you repeated those 9 words of peace! There’s a peace prayer that I say regularly based on them. Would you like more info on that? It’s so sweet! (You can do it from wherever you live around the world.) Blessings to you, and so lovely to connect.
      Peace, Debbie

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    1. Thank you, Pragalbha! I so appreciate your encouragement and loving. Your comments always uplift me! Stepping outside of our comfort zone is such an important part of spiritual growth. I imagine sometimes that writing your poetry is a step outside of what’s comfortable to you. Takes so much courage to share your experiences and creativity. I am honored each time you contribute to #ForgivingFridays.
      Sending you lots of love. Blessings, Debbie

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