Forgiveness

I've come across a quote from Hana Malik that I really like.

"Forgiveness is
taking the knife out of your own back
and not using it on anyone else
no matter how
they hurt you"

I'm sure I will have blogged before on interrupting the cycle of hurt. The anti bullying work we used to do with the young people in schools was based on the principle of stopping hurt and violence in its tracks rather than perpetuating it. We all have choices when we get hurt, to retaliate, or to take out that hurt elsewhere (being grumpy with the kids), or working really hard to own the hurt and be the place where it ends.

I think the latter choice requires most effort :-)  Firstly we have to notice how we're feeling so we don't unintentionally pass it on. Then we have to deal with the bleeding, metaphorically speaking. Acknowledging the pain, maybe have someone adept to help us stem the loss if it's in a hard to reach place, be gentle with ourselves around the  wound. Then consciously respond in a way we wish.  What might a loving response look like? Is letting it go and no response the best way forwards?

There's still much for me to learn here, I'm sure I will continue to receive opportunities to practice ;)