It’s the Last Forgiving Fridays of 2018! Today’s topic is Gratitude and Forgiveness

Posted on by Forgiving Connects

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 being grateful for you and for everything in your life?  E.g., do a video and photos like I did, share a photo or quote, or whatever you are inspired to do.  Go for it!!

Wow, it’s the last Forgiving Fridays of 2018!!  Where has the time gone?

On this last blog post for the year, I’d like to express my immense gratitude for each of you.  You are all incredible gifts in my life.

Each time you like a post, you lift me up with your caring. Each time you comment, I am touched by your love.  I bless each of you when I see your name and send you peace.

Speaking of GRATITUDE, 🙂

I spent the last two weeks at a spiritual retreat, driving down the California coast with my partner David,

Photo by David Sand

Photos by my partner, David Sand

and celebrating Christmas with Beloved friends:

Gratitude and Abundance Feet

Here we are enjoying Christmas Day!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to tune inside to my heart.  To take a pause and simply be.

This time away reminds me of how gratitude is an incredible key!  To open each of us to our own compassion …. to see ourselves and others clearly …. and to reside in the presence of peace.  This is the truth of who we are!

So, I have an invitation for you today.  Be grateful for yourself.  Be grateful for you.  Take it in.

And, if there is something you’re having trouble forgiving about yourself or anyone else, what if you just were grateful for it?

Put the judgment in your hands, and say “I am grateful for you.”  (You can also say, “I see you through the eyes of gratitude.”)

It’s such a simple exercise – and so profound.

I did a video this morning to illustrate:

I used my own example of doubting my talents.  I just put this doubt into my hand, and I say, “I am grateful for you.  Thank you for showing me my next opportunity to be at peace.”

I take in my own gratitude.  I really pause and take it in.

Gratitude and Abundance

Remember how amazing you are.  YOU carry compassion.  Peace really is inside of you, inside of me, inside of each one of us.  Even people we can’t see it yet, it’s there.

I was wearing a Spiritual Warrior T-Shirt in my video.  Sometimes we need to be Spiritual Warriors to keep up the forgiveness, to keep choosing love, and to be grateful for it all.  🙂

Happy New Year everyone!!  I love you so much.  See you in 2019.

Love and Light,
Debbie

**This post is my contribution for Frank’s photo challenge Cold and Warm and Trent’s The Weekly Smile,**

❤

#FORGIVINGFRIDAYS POSTS FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS:

Etta of Simply Etta D. contributed posts each Friday while I was away: the first encourages us to celebrate, be kind, and forgive this holiday season (with gorgeous quotes), and the second offers a powerful reflection of the past four years and her struggles, discouragement, empowerment and ability to accept herself and others.  Go, Etta!

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 the profound beauty of seeing someone fully simply by shifting a step or two.  Forgiveness is that step!

Ali of Flashlight Batteries wrote a birthday poem that captures the exquisite grace of this moment and our ability to write our own script. You sure have written one of great love Ali!  (Ali writes a birthday poem each year.  See last year’s here. J )

Pragalbha of Infinite Living shared her own quote image on how choices are full of wisdom when we work with forgiveness. Thank you Pragalbha – beautiful!

Revived Writer wrote a gorgeous poem illustrating the power of love and peace. They are so much larger than anything that happens in this world!

Miriam of Out An’ About wrote a heartwarming post on anticipating the adventure of life and the year ahead. She invites us to know that something wonderful is waiting for us. Wow!

Kimberlee of Anotetohuguette shared her experience of what it’s like to walk in the stillness and be present with the recent loss of her father. Her courage and willingness to be with herself is incredible – thank you!

❤

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

David Sand photography

38 thoughts on “It’s the Last Forgiving Fridays of 2018! Today’s topic is Gratitude and Forgiveness”

    1. Thank you! Yes, isn’t David an amazing photographer? He’s so gifted.

      I love what you wrote about learning to put our life on pause. Even if we’re not on a retreat, we have so many opportunities to take a pause on a daily basis. When I do this, I find it much easier to stay connected and choose love. ❤

      Have a WONDERFUL New Year and hope your holidays have been full of joy.
      ~Debbie

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  4. Debbie,
    Respite and reflection time. What a beautiful gift you have given yourself. I am really inspired by this thought that you shared.
    (Put the judgment in your hands, and say “I am grateful for you.”)
    I’m going to play with this thought. Thank you for contributing to my day.
    Love to you,
    Ali

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    1. Ali, I’m so glad you were inspired by the exercise to place gratitude on our judgments. It really can be a profound practice. My spiritual teacher John-Roger has a great quote, “To know more of the Soul, look with the eyes and hear with the ears of gratitude.” I find that to be so true.

      Sending you much love and Light, Ali. Have a wonderful weekend and fantastic New Year. You are an uplifting presence on my blog. Thank you.
      Love to you too. 🙂
      Debbie

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  5. Debbie, your beautiful words & David’s stunning images have left me feeling grounded and hopeful for the brand new year ahead…life, even in the presence of loss, is full of possibilities…thank you for including my post alongside such lovely bloggers!

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    1. Kimberlee, I am so glad. You are really supported and loved, and know that I am sending you so many blessings. THANK YOU for your contribution to #ForgivingFridays. It was moving, uplifting and full of courage.To me, your caring is so evident. Happy New Year!!
      Debbie

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  6. What beautiful words and quotes and exquisite pictures to remind us of how wondrous life is. Gratitude truly is the key to a peaceful and forgiving life and your posts always remind me of how much we all have to be grateful for. Thank you for shining your light this year Debbie and thank you for including my post too. You are a blessing to so many of us here. Wishing you a magical and beautiful year ahead. xx

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    1. Oh Miriam, I’m wishing you a wonderful, love-filled New Year with so much joy and laughter. You are a bright Light for me on my blog – I’m uplifted every time you visit and through your contributions to #ForgivingFridays. THANK YOU for the connection, for sharing your wisdom, and for the lightness you bring to my blog (and on Instagram too. 🙂 ) Gratitude is one of the keys I know for living in grace … I love how we share that together!
      Many blessings and a big hug from across the pond,
      Debbie

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  8. I love the Rumi quote!

    My Friday was blissful. Actually, it involved quite a lot of standing in lines (about 3 hours) and placing continual Light in the place where I was applying for some official documentation. I was rewarded by the sweetest clerk who served me with great grace and humour. And I achieved the result. Celebrated afterwards with friends over lunch.

    Gratitude in my experience has been positively transformational. Many times.

    Happy New Year to you as we spiral up into ever greater health, wealth and happiness for the very highest good of all.

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    1. Hi Anne, wow I am grateful for you in my life. Thank you for being a consistent, caring, and wise presence on my blog and an amazing friend. Being with you on this path ahead is a true blessing for me. I love you! (And I love how you planted Light while you were waiting on line!! So glad that all worked out.)

      So much joy to you in 2019. Love and Light — and forgiving!
      Debbie

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    1. Mary, thank you! So glad you like the message of gratitude. It truly is one of the greatest keys I know to opening my heart to love. God bless you, Mary. I am grateful for you in my life – I don’t remember how we initially connected on WordPress and I’m so glad that we did!! Love to you and your family (including your daughter-in-law and your son’s girlfriend 🙂 ). All the blessings to you.
      Love and Light,
      Debbie ❤

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      1. Good morning Debbie. I’m thankful for connecting as well, friend. I believe that it was meant to be. I truly enjoy your posts, breaths of fresh air and inspiration. Blessings to you and I’m wishing you a Happy New Year with joy, health and prosperity. Hugs❤️😍

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  12. Debbie, over the time I have been Connected to your FORGIVENESS Ministry I’ve learned a lot. My perspective on FORGIVENESS has changed. Also what kept me reading your Blog Posts and listening to your YouTube videos is that you are Honest. You allow yourself to experience the full gamut of Human emotions yet you don’t get stuck or Swallowed up by past mistakes. We have a Deborah to Deborah connection. Here’s my Blog Post entry for the First Forgiving Friday of 2019.

    https://dancingpalmtrees.com/2018/12/29/first-forgiveness-friday-of-2019/

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    1. Oh DeB thank you for your comment. So great to hear that your perspective on forgiveness changed. Yay! And, you’re right, I’m honest and open – so key for me for forgiving. 💜

      You are amazing. I’m grateful for our connection, and for your incredible and creative contributions for Forgiving Fridays. I look forward to reading this one!

      Blessings to you DeB – from coast to coast. A love connection that extends for thousands of miles and yet so close in the heart. Love you.
      Love and Light,
      Debbie

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    1. Ha, ha Lacey that’s funny! 🙂 Great observation. I do consciously make choices to surround myself with beauty. Including you.

      So glad that you’re in my life, Lacey. It’s awesome to watch you expand this year. Look at all the great things you’re creating – you have a baby, you’re a wonderful mom and blogger, and it sounds like you’re committed to your self-care. Know that I'm here cheering you on, and I'm available for support if/when you’d like that. Have a LOVE- and JOY-filled 2019, Lacey! I love you.
      Love and blessings,
      Debbie

      ps – Thank you for sending me the photo of you and your family! Posted it on the wall in my bedroom. ❤

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