Great entry. So right and such good advice. I am a big one on this topic. I am working at being better at forgiving and letting go of old pain via forgivness. It is a journey that I can not take alone and have leaned totally on God for strength. I literally see my self placing my pain in the hands of God, turning it over makes it eaiser to deal with. Thank you for this entry, it touched me deeply.

You know, when I wrote this, I had no idea it was going to be so powerful to me personally.  In my own personal journal, at the end of this entry, there is another paragraph which specifically forgives my ex and his girlfriend, who have been the cause of much negativity in my being.  Two weeks ago I apologized to him for any pain I may ever have caused him in the past; but that held very little cleasing power to this forgiveness.  Apparently I was being guided to write this piece for my own healing. 

 

I had been discussing with close friends for a very long time that I knew the anger and resentment I had toward those two was putting a huge stumbling block in my spiritual growth; but that I just could not bring myself to wish them well.  Since she had entered the picture during our marriage, and caused a lot of turmoil, and as soon as we separated (but four years before we divored) he moved in with her, I just felt that they did not "deserve" to be happy together.  So I felt any negative thoughts I had about them were justified. 

 

I really prayed, Christine, that when I went through the act of forgiveness, that it be from the heart, God-sanctioned, true and honest, and not just a bunch of words; and that I would never regress into that negative thinking again.  I honestly feel cleansed of that negativity.  God works amazing miracles in our hearts, and we only need to ask, with a pure thought, for what we desire, and poof! it happens.

 

I'm expecting HUGE growth now that that stumbling block is removed.  I will not waste another miniscule amount of energy in negative thought towards those two people. 

 

There is another step, though.  It may be a little harder to feel the kind of love for them that I can feel for someone on the other side of the world whom I've never even met.  I do believe we are all One and that God's main desire for us is that we understand and embrace that.  

 

The journey never ends, does it?  And therein lies the beauty.  God bless you, Christine, on your journey.  Turning it over to God does work.  There are any number of ways that work; but all must be God-based and with a pure heart. 

You are growing and that must feel so very rewarding. God bless you Sherry, the woman within has become more beautiful and whole. I also must learn to forgive myself, maybe you need to add this to your list of those to forgive. We are weak at times, get hung up and loose touch with our inner God. Once you clear the path and know what you need to find yourself, nothing can stand in your way. I am working on how to forgive others but also myself on a daily basis. I keep thinking it will get easier but for me, it is still a struggle. But I have my faith and I am sure to find my way.

Yes, the growth has been great, and I'm looking forward to the next burst!!  The biggest help for me is that I have made my spiritual growth my main focus.  Everything else has just fallen into place because of that.  I focus on God and staying connected in spirit, and the guidance just comes so naturally.  One of my best friends always tells me I'm too hard on myself and need to practice forgiveness there, too.  Now, you're saying it.  Guess I'll take a look at that....LOL!  It's always humorous to me when just a word from someone or a seemingly random thought "turns the light on" to a simple truth.

 

Do you have anything fun planned for this weekend?  I'll probably have my new little grand-nephew here most of the day tomorrow.  He spent the night with me, for the third time, Thursday.  He just turned six weeks old Monday.  What an amazing joy he is!  And so controlling already!  They little tyke made me go out and spend over $150 on him yesterday, and I didn't even get what I really went out to buy.  Men! 

I love the T-shirt that says forgive me, God isn't finished with me yet.  

I am going to the San Diego Animal Park to go on Safari with my husband. You can actually feed the Giraffes and Elephants from the back of this open jeep. Sounds like fun. Well don't grumble to me lady, you are loving having that little guy with you no matter what he spends !

Oh, yeah......it really wasn't a grumble.....just a comical look at how we can even let a six-week old "control" us......and of course I use that term very lightly! 

 

Enjoy!  Sounds wonderful!  Isn't that zoo supposed to be one of the best in the nation?  So I've always heard.  I love San Diego......what little I've seen of it.  Only been there once, but it seemed so special to me.  Would love to get back there.

Well we are moving here, so you can come and visit us! Yes the zoo is nice and the park was too. I saw the new panda baby born here last year, so cute.

Ahhhhhhh! (baby panda)

 

And I may just take you up on that offer, one of these days.  So, how did you decide to move there?

CA is the ONLY state that allows you to sit for the Bar regardless of education?  I thought there were many states that would allow you to sit, regardless of what formal education you have......that you could even just study law on your own and pass the Bar. 

 

I noticed on your profile page that you are newlyweds.  How long have you been married?  Were you married in the states?  What kind of ceremony?