Forgiveness

 

Forgiveness 

My father once said, “If they hurt you, forgive them, but never forget what they’ve done.”

This has always been a reminder to me every time I meet someone new. Yet, at times, it feels exhausting. It’s frustrating to show kindness only to receive pain in return. It’s disheartening to admire someone, only to find them backstabbing you.

One day, I asked my father, “Do they deserve my forgiveness?”

He smiled and set aside the newspaper he had been reading—a part of his morning routine, checking the mailbox for something to engage with.

“Child, everyone deserves forgiveness. If they wrong you once, they deserve it. If they do it twice, give them another chance. But if they hurt you a third time, that’s when the forgiveness should be for yourself.”

I must have looked puzzled, with a huge invisible question mark hovering over my head. My father chuckled at my confusion, then handed me a candy and clasped my hands in his.

“Forgive yourself for believing in them and getting disappointed. Forgive yourself for trusting too much. Forgive yourself for taking risks in the hope of something better. And, my dear, give yourself the chance to be free—free from hatred, revenge, and the weight of your past.”

One morning, I found him in front of my mother, tears streaming down his face. He had been betrayed by a friend for many years. I asked him if he now hated his friend, and he simply smiled and shook his head.

“My heart doesn’t have space for hatred. I won’t suffer because of it. I’ve forgiven him, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten what he did. The next time he sees me smiling, despite everything, he’ll know who truly suffered.”

Wiping his tears with the favourite handkerchief I had gifted him for his birthday, he added, “You know the best thing you can give to someone who hurts you? It’s to live a better life after what they did. We only live once, so don’t waste your time on those who have left scars in your heart. Let them see what they’ve lost. Let them understand how they inadvertently helped you grow.”

In that moment, I realized that without his wisdom, I would still be haunted by burdens that weren’t my fault.

"The Meaning of Life"

 

‘The Meaning Of Life!’

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Alex who was always searching for the meaning of life. He read books, consulted philosophers, and talked to wise men, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer.

One day, he decided to embark on a journey to find the answer himself. He left his home and travelled far and wide, visiting different places and meeting people from all walks of life. He saw the beauty of nature, witnessed the kindness of strangers, and experienced the joys and sorrows of life.

Years went by, and Alex had not found the answer he was looking for. He became tired and disillusioned, thinking that maybe the meaning of life was just an illusion. But then one day, as he sat under a tree, he noticed a butterfly struggling to break free from its cocoon. The butterfly seemed to be in great pain, and Alex thought he could help by breaking open the cocoon.

But as he reached out to help, a wise old man appeared before him and warned him not to interfere. "The butterfly needs to struggle to break free," he said. "It is only through the struggle that it gains the strength it needs to fly."

Alex realized that the same was true for humans. It is through the struggles and challenges of life that we gain strength, wisdom, and character. The meaning of life is not to avoid the struggles but to face them with courage and determination, and to use them as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

From that day on, Alex stopped searching for the meaning of life and instead focused on living his life to the fullest, embracing its challenges and joys with open arms. He found happiness and contentment in the present moment, knowing that the true meaning of life is not a destination to be reached, but a journey to be experienced.

 

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Johnny Duhan - " a tribute"

 

The Voyage - Johnny Duhan

I am a sailor, you're my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure, together we set sail

With no maps to guide us we steered our own course
Rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
Sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope

Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

Together we're in this relationship
We built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination's not marked on any charts
We're navigating to the shores of the heart

Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgtk0OlZ-Jw&ab_channel=JohnnyDuhan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wNTMq6an-U&ab_channel=JohnnyDuhan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wNTMq6an-U&ab_channel=JohnnyDuhan

" Pause and Remember loved ones"

 

NO MORE TIME

When death comes knocking on your door

Will you be ready to say your goodbye

Or will you beg for just a little more

As you were never ready to die.

If only life could work that way

We’d all just ask for a little more time

Because we’re never ready to go away

When we’re still learning how to climb.

But, life never gives us these chances,

It just creeps in when you least expect

And it don’t care about circumstances

That you were so eager to perfect.

It just comes without any invitation

And tells you it’s your time to go,

Never caring about your obligation

You made to the friends you know.

It’s kinda sad how our life just ends

In the blink of our naked eyes

Leaving us torn from family and friends

That wish they too, had goodbyes.

.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

all filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn't cry

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

and each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand,

and said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,

A tear fell from my eye

For all my life, I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible,

That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared,

and all the fun we had

If I could re-live yesterday

Just even for a while,

I'd say good-bye and kiss you

And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories,

would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home

When God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've promised you."

Today your life on earth is past,

But here life starts anew

I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last,

And since each day's the same way

There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,

So trusting and so true.

Though there were times

You did some things

You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven

And now at last you're free.

So won't you come and take my hand

And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart.

Author believed to be

~ David Romano

 

“The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said, and never explained. It’s the sudden silence, the unspoken words, the unanswered questions that haunt you at night. You lie awake, your mind replaying every moment, every word, every touch, searching for the reason why. But there is no answer, just an emptiness that stretches into eternity. It’s the pain of not knowing, of not understanding, of being left in the dark with only your own thoughts to keep you company. And in that darkness, you slowly come to realize that you may never know why, and that is perhaps the hardest truth of all.”

 

 Suggestions for those in the land of the living.

"Do the right thing"

 

 The only moments in our lives that count for anything are those when we do the right thing, when we don’t have to look down at the table but can raise our heads and look each other in the eye. Nothing else matters. Alexei Navalny, PATRIOT . 239 .

 

“It’s not always easy to do what’s right.” Well, that’s true. Doing the next right thing has consequences just as doing the next wrong thing. However, doing the next right thing leaves one with a feeling of satisfaction of doing what is right regardless of the consequences.                                                                                                                                       In a sea of corruption, Alexei Navalny became a leader among millions of Russians who want a democracy and do away with corruption. For his work, Navalny was poisoned, imprisoned under false pretences, and finally murdered in prison. Murdered for doing the next right thing.                                                                                                                                    This happens on a daily basis in terms of character assassination around the “water cooler” in offices; it happens daily, nowadays, in various media where the name of good people is destroyed.                                                                                                                         “The only moments in our lives that count for anything are those when we do the right thing…” there is a tremendous satisfaction in a healthy sense when we do something we know to be right, to take  a stand against those whose words and behavior is bent on destruction. It was said of Jesus “It is better that one man die for the country.” It was thought that if Mahatma Gandhi, Dag Hammarskjold or Martin Luther King, were out of the way then things could “get back to normal. These men lived doing ‘the next right thing” and for doing so they  paid the price.                                                                                                                      In school yards. Offices, in the work place, students, men and women are shunned, silenced, abandoned, sneered at, for daring to do the next right thing and, despite all the jeering, they0 stand their ground because they know that what they are doing is Right.                 Across the world today in church and in society, locally, nationally, internationally, there are those who stand for equality, respect, democracy, justice, and they will pay the price of following their conscience, following Jesus, living the Beatitudes, their scripture.                      Creator God, Great Spirit, I give thanks for those men and women who shine a light in the darkness to offer us hope for a better future. May the Holy Spirit guide us in these dark days to do the Right thing regardless of the price to be paid so that future generations will live in peace and freedom with respect and justice for all. Amen                                 

Keep your circle of friends small

 

........................

KEEP YOUR CIRCLE SMALL

A Short Valuable Story

A young girl asked an elderly woman:

"Do I really need friends in life?"

The elderly woman responded:

"Yes. Life is truly very rough. There should be someone by your side with whom you can talk for hours without feeling that they would judge you; on whose shoulders you can cry, one who will give you emotional support. When no one will be there for you, they should be there. One who should help you share the good times and overcome the difficult ones."

The young girl asked:

"Is it true that a fake friend is more dangerous than an enemy?"

The elderly woman responded:

"Yes. It's because you know who your enemy is and you're not going to let them get close to you. But a false friend is pretending while getting your trust. They find out your vulnerabilities, your secrets and your dreams. They know which button to press and how to stab you in the back."

The young girl asked:

"How do I avoid being surrounded by fake friends?"

The elderly woman paused for a short moment, then asked,

"Between a small garden and a forest, which one has more snakes and scorpions?"

The young girl responded:

"The forest, sure!"

The elderly woman smiled, and then said:

"Good! When you keep your circle of friends small like a small garden, the less snakes and scorpions you have to worry about, even rats. The fewer people you hang out with, the fewer problems you have to deal with. When I was young, I had a very big group of friends. But as I grew old and wise with experience, my circle of friends became smaller. I realized that quality outweighs quantity when it comes to friendship. Don’t fool yourself by holding onto the illusion that everyone is your friend. You may have numerous acquaintances, but real friends will always be just a few people you love and trust. The best way to prevent yourself from falling into the fake friend trap is by being more mindful about the size of your circle."

"Teachers can Make a Difference"

 

 

The Heart of a Teacher

The child arrives like a mystery box…
with puzzle pieces inside
some of the pieces are broken or missing…
and others just seem to hide

But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out…
and help the child to see
the potential for greatness he has within…
a picture of what he can be

Her goal isn’t just to teach knowledge…
by filling the box with more parts
it’s putting the pieces together…
to create a work of art.

The process is painfully slow at times…
some need more help than others
each child is a work in progress…
with assorted shapes and colors

First she creates a classroom…
where the child can feel safe in school
where he never feels threatened or afraid to try…
and kindness is always the rule

She knows that a child can achieve
much more when he feels secure inside
when he’s valued and loved…and believes in himself …
and he has a sense of pride

She models and teaches good character…

and respect for one another
how to focus on strengths…not weaknesses
and how to encourage each other

She gives the child the freedom he needs…
to make choices on his own
so he learns to become more responsible…
and is able to stand alone

He’s taught to be strong and think for himself…
as his soul and spirit heal
and the puzzle that’s taking shape inside…
has a much more positive feel

The child discovers the joy that comes…
from learning something new…
and his vision grows as he begins
to see all the things he can do

A picture is formed as more pieces fit…
an image of the child within
with greater strength and confidence…
and a belief that he can win!

All because a hero was there…
in the HEART of a teacher who cared
enabling the child to become much more…
than he ever imagined…or dared

A teacher with a HEART for her children…
knows what teaching is all about
she may not have all the answers…
but on this…she has no doubt

When asked which subjects she loved to teach,
she answered this way and smiled…
“It’s not the subjects that matter…

It’s all about teaching the CHILD.”

Paula Fox

 

Humanity at its most beautiful!                                                                                                                                        “I believe Compassion is the most essential quality of civilization.”

“Compassion grows as we journey through life.”

“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.”  

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show Compassion and the will to help others.”

the Teddy Stallard story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xkQHh0HUxU&t=52s&ab_channel=MaryReynolds00