It’s Forgiving Fridays! Today is “A Year in Review – and a Forgiving Vacation!”

Posted on by Forgiving Connects

NOTE: I’m going on a retreat and will be offline for two weeks!  Please keep contributing to Forgiving Fridays & I’ll highlight ALL of your posts upon my return.  Much love

Happy #ForgivingFridays everyone! 🙂

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 forgive.  For this week, how about expressing what happens inside when you forgive? E.g., write a poem like I did, share a photo or quote, or whatever you are inspired to do.  Go for it!!

 

The Peace of True Forgiveness
Photo by David Sand – this is near where I’ll be on retreat!

 

The Path to Mastership

Worthy of being loved.

Beyond that into “I am love”.

The peace of true forgiveness.

~D. Roth

❤

I’m about to go to a spiritual retreat in the north-central California region.  It’s SUCH a beautiful place called Asilomar – there are trees, ocean, stillness and a lot of time to reflect and go inside.

As I’m preparing for my trip, I thought back to last year at this time.  (I do this trip each year.)  In the “year ago me”, I never would have guessed what came forward this year.  I am so moved by this, because it illustrates how much I am supported and blessed – and all I need to do is show up with an intention to love and willingness to do.

I had no idea that I’d do a coaching program and build up my practice through act after act of courage…. Except that I knew I wanted to serve clients with forgiveness.

Selfie after speaking at the UN Spiritual Caucus

🙂

I had no idea that my partner David would show me how to REALLY love someone for who they are, including during a breakup …. Except that I had a prayer to unconditionally love in relationship.

🙂

I had no idea that I would break my toe and get stronger in my running … Except that I had a commitment to radiant health by listening to my body’s signals and acting on them.

🙂

I had no idea that I’d be living in community and let go many of my belongings as the year end approaches … Except that I know more change is in the air and boy does this downsizing set me up to fly with what’s next.

Peace and Forgiveness me and apt Sept 21 2018

 

Wow.  Wow.  Wow.

In the coming year, I don’t know where I’ll be living, whether I’ll be running marathons, and it’s unclear whether David and I are staying together.  I’m enrolled in another coaching school with a Master coach and the possibility of expanding my practice is so big — beyond what I can see.

 

What I do know is my intention to step into mastership. (The spiritual retreat is based on a book “The Path to Mastership” and we explore the inner experience of qualities of mastership for living a heart-centered life.)

I am learning what it’s like to KNOW what mastership is for me. What I do know is that forgiveness is a great key to this, because it helps me to sacrifice all the judgments of “not enoughness” and what I “think I know” so I can be fully present and allow my love to guide me.

I’d like to end with a quote from John-Roger on mastership. May it guide every step of my way in this retreat!!

“It is through loving made manifest that you are able to recognize a Master. Love is the greatest step of mastership. When loving is expressed, all other aspects of mastership fall into place and blend into the loving. It is the greatest of the keys.”

My heart is so with each of you in the coming weeks.  Sending you many blessings and smiles this holiday season.

I love you!

Love,

Debbie

**This post is my contribution for Frank’s photo challenge Tranquil, Trent’s The Weekly Smile, Sue Vincent’s Thursday #writephoto Onward.**

❤

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

Etta of Simply Etta D. encouraged us to take good care of ourselves and be grateful for everything in our life from the past year – especially who we are!

DeB of Roaming Urban Gypsy contributed a poem on the compassion and caring of a mother’s presence to heal and open us to forgiveness. In honor of her late mother, Mable!

Frank of Poetry, Short Prose and Walking wrote a poem on how forgiveness can help us hear the angels who sing a song of love – and open to our dreams even through the dark! 

Ali of Flashlight Batteries contributed a poem using experiences in a car as a metaphor for negative thinking and how lost and scary this can seem. Forgiveness is an offramp to get free!

Sheila of OffShoots12 wrote an incredible blog of her willingness to forgive judgments of herself for how she spoke with a friend.  This one decision can be life-changing!

Pragalbha of Infinite Living shared a thoughtful exploration of what gratitude truly is for her,  and the ability to enjoy it freely and express the joy within.  So courageous!

Revived Writer wrote a poem that helped me see the essence of forgiveness to illuminate the goodness in people. This radiates happy!

Miriam of Out An’ About wrote a heartwarming post on accepting what is and taking one step at a time. Our thoughts become clearer, we have more peace of mind, and abundance flows freely. Wow!

Kathy of KE Garland contributed a wonderful post on how she prepared for a challenging visit with her brother and sister-in-law. Excellent tips to let go and choose love – wow!

 ❤

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!

David Sand photography

Forgiving Fridays banner

42 thoughts on “It’s Forgiving Fridays! Today is “A Year in Review – and a Forgiving Vacation!””

    1. Thank you, Pragalbha! I see you living in loving too. You remind me of a Rumi quote, As you start to walk on the way, the way appears. 🙂 Thank you for your beautiful contributions to Forgiving Fridays! They are full of joy and wisdom.
      Love,
      Debbie

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you, Frank. And thank you for your contribution to Forgiving Fridays – this week and every week. They are beautiful! When I read them, I have an inner experience of forgiveness and grace. ❤
      Have a great two weeks. Blessings, Debbie

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      Reply

  6. That beautiful image calls to me…I just posted a piece that has echoes of yours…I hope you enjoy your gorgeous retreat over the holidays and as always, I wish you a happy new year filled with growth and aha moments, aren’t they wonderful?

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    1. Yes, Kimberlee, I agree! Aha moments are wonderful. 🙂 Thank you so much for commenting. You’re welcome to contribute your post for #ForgivingFridays if you want to? That would be an honor. I love your blog, and you are a sweetheart.

      Have a blessed two weeks, Kimberlee and a new year full of grace.
      Debbie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Etta D! Right back to you … so much love and Light from my heart to yours. 🙂 And a big smile from LA. Thank you for your amazing contributions, they are truly uplifting.
      Have a blessed two weeks. Talk with you soon! Love, Debbie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Beautiful post Debbie filled with optimism, truth, vulnerability and courage. Thank you for always showing us there’s always a way, even when the path in front is unclear. I wish you a peaceful retreat and all the very best in the coming year. Hugs and love from me downunder xx

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    1. Paul thank you! ❤ I'm so looking forward to it — I'm here now, there are trees everywhere and the ocean is beautiful. I'm about to go offline tomorrow. Will visit your blog again when I return. Have a great two weeks.
      Blessings, Debbie

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  12. Congratulations on your marvellous year just passing and all you have accomplished on many levels. My Superview is we are all radiant loving, forgiveness and peace, just waking up to more of it. I am with you in Spirit as you walk the Royal Road to Mastership, treading that Path for myself in these days. What greater blessing could there be?!

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    1. Anne, I love what you wrote about how we are all love and forgiveness. Yes! So true and I’m open to a deeper experience of that.

      I just thought of you this morning and put you in the Light. (I’m here at Asilomar!!) About to go offline.
      I love you. Thank you for being here and for being such a Peacemaker.
      Love and Light,
      Debbie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Debbie, I am learning that even when the “bad” happens, that contributes to the overall picture of who I am evolving into AND that, my life shines even more even with the “bad”. So difficult to describe what is happening. So many changes have happened yet my life keeps getting better. I LOVE this post and can relate to it in so many ways. Thank you! And have FUN on your retreat!! 💝

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