Journal

Forgiveness is a word that is seldom used in the Buddhist writings that I have come across. Actually, I can't remember ever seeing the word. Or this might be due to my lack of reading or not being mindful.

Yet the concept is there. Letting thoughts come and then letting them go can be defined as forgiving oneself. Being mindful of others while full of compassion and void of judgment can be forgiving to others at times. It could be that the idea of forgiveness developed from being mindful and compassionate. But it probably does not matter how the concepts evolved.

Forgiveness (to ourselves and others) improves our well being. How we go about forgiving is often very personal. Compassion seems to be an integral part of this to have meaning. Compassion is a true strength from within.

Forgiveness is the stepping stone from the past to the future. It could be viewed as many small stones leading across a river, or maybe some larger boulders. It is probably a part of all of our paths. This is a challenging part of life that we can step through to find happiness. Be good to others. Be good to yourself. An forgive with all of your heart.

I wish everyone success in finding their way.

I am drinking about 1/4 of the amount of soda that I used to drink. Still, I am marking this as only 25% progress since the hard-core soda times (at work) should count more.

Still not much on degenerative joint disease, which is the main reason I joined this site. I invite anyone to chip in what they know about DJD.