Forgiveness - An Asset

"Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge." I saw this wonderful old saying again in a book recently. It got me to thinking about all the times that I have been able to forgive others in my life and all the joy that it has brought me. One memory stands out particularly well. I was a young boy spending a week at 4-H camp during the Summer. I was having a great time and enjoying everything about it except for another young boy about my age. To say we didn’t get along would be an understatement. We spent most of the week irritating, insulting, and picking on each other. Words finally came to blows on the next to last day of camp. We got into a fist fight which I lost. Thankfully, older boys broke it up before I was hurt too much. I spent the rest of the day alone, sulking and stewing in my own anger.

The next day my spirits were lifted, however, when my Mom brought the boys in our cabin some of her delicious homemade pizzas. I was enjoying a few slices of it when I saw the other boy sitting by himself at the bottom of the steps outside. He seemed very lonely right then. I am not sure what moved me to do so, but I took my pizza down and shared it with him. It made all the anger and pain inside me go away. We became friends after that. I never got into another fist fight either. I had found out that sharing and forgiving were way more fun and a lot less painful.

Forgiveness truly is the sweetest revenge. It can turn an enemy into a friend. It can free a heart from the chains of anger, hatred, and pain. It can open a soul to the sweetness of love and joy once again. It can help you to live by the Golden Rule and to create a Golden Life. It can bring you back to oneness with God in everything you think, feel, and do. That is why I often pray, "God help me to forgive, help me to give, and help me to love." May your life always be full of sweet forgiveness then. May you always delight in its Heavenly charms."

The power of Three Little Word.....

Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one another often

Come in just three words. When spoken or conveyed, those statements have the
Power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships That have cooled.
The following three word phrases can enrich every relationship:

I'LL BE THERE -

Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can

Give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to

Them and to us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored

Emotionally and spiritually. 'Being there' is at the very, very core of

Civility.

I MISS YOU -

Perhaps more marriages could be salvaged and strengthened if

Couples simply and sincerely said to each other, "I miss you." This powerful

Affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved.

I RESPECT YOU -

Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the

Feeling that another person is a true equal. It is a powerful way to affirm

The importance of a relationship.

MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT -

This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an

Argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side of "maybe you're

Right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong."

PLEASE FORGIVE ME -

Many broken relationships could be restored and healed

If people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are

Vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to

Own up to he has been in the wrong, which is by saying, in other words, that

He is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I THANK YOU -

Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy

The companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily

Courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many

Expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends

Is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

COUNT ON ME -

"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out." "Loyalty

Is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue

That bonds people. Those who are rich in their relationships tend to be

Steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there,

Indicating "you can count on me."

LET ME HELP -

The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they

Spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they

Pitch in and help.

I UNDERSTAND YOU -

People become closer and enjoy each other more if they

Feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in

So many little ways that you understand him or her is one of the most

Powerful tools for healing your relationship.

GO FOR IT -

Some of your friends may be non-conformists, have unique

Projects and unusual hobbies. Support them in pursuing their interests.

Rather than urging your loved ones to conform, encourage their uniqueness -

Everyone has dreams that no one else has.

I suppose the 3 little words that you were expecting to see have to be

Reserved for those who are special; that is

I LOVE YOU.