April 25, 2004

Forgiveness

Someone hurts you; your reptilian brain yells "Revenge." It seems seductively sweet, so simple, this Old Testament eye-for-an-eye concept. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is messy, looks weak, and is quite possibly unmanly. First, one has to acknowledge and accept the injury and come to terms with it. Then, one has to consider the person who caused the harm, and grapple with not only the what but the why of it. If one gets this far, the task is far from done. The final challenge is to suspend judgment of the harm-doer, (or make the judgment and set it aside), and embrace the one who hurt you. So, consider carefully if it is worth the effort. And what of self-inflicted wounds?

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