As I write I am in the midst of preparing to attend the United Nations 51st meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women. This year a priority theme of the meeting is: “The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child.”
As I looked over the schedule for the two weeks of meetings there were moments when I felt my body shudder and become tense as I read the titles of sessions containing the words: rape, state sanctioned murder and genital mutilation. Images of this violence flashed through my mind. I took a deep breath and said to myself, I choose to be forgiving. And then I remembered the murder of the 10 Pennsylvania Amish girls that took place in their school back in October 2006 (click the link on the bottom of page 2 for more details). The overwhelming response of the community was to forgive. I was reminded that if I truly want a peaceful and loving world for my grandchildren then I must forgive unconditionally.
Violence and abuse abound; from the seemingly simple act of criticizing of an idea, to the brutal act of murder. And while there appears to be a great difference between calling someone’s idea stupid and taking a gun and shooting an innocent child, when we look into the core of both of these acts there is a common belief, the belief that we are separate. It is this belief that allows us to judge, blame and ultimately annihilate someone with our thoughts, words and actions.
Given that it often seems like a daunting task to forgive a family member who has lied to us or a friend who has not met our expectations, how can we truly forgive heinous acts of violence and love unconditionally? It begins where all acts of forgiveness begin, with our point of view. When we acknowledge that all people are connected in Spirit, that we actually live in a world of interconnected consciousness and that all of physical reality comes to form through thoughts we think charged with our emotional energy, then we begin the process of forgiveness.
As the Season for Non-Violence continues this month I encourage you to explore violence within your own life and the beliefs that form the springboard for words and actions that you have used against yourself and others.
This is not the time to get caught in the web of guilt rather it is the time for you to expand your capacity for forgiveness. When you have forgiven yourself extend your compassion to those people you know who you have believed have “wronged” you. Forgive them for forgetting that we are One. And then broaden your love to all people whose acts of abuse and violence have resulted in homicides, genocides, racial and ethnic cleansing.
If we desire peace, we must be peace. As I choose the UN sessions I will attend I express my deep gratitude to all children who have been violently abused for giving me the reminder to deepen and expand my personal commitment to forgiveness, unconditional love and compassion.
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Susyn Reeve M.Ed. and Sheri Rosenthal DPM are co-authors of WITH Forgiveness - Are You Ready? and co-creators of the WITH Forgiveness program at www.withforgivenessmovie.com. They both enjoy giving workshops, lectures and taking folks on spiritual journeys (you can see them at www.journeysofthespirit.com ), and being extremely happy! You can reach them at www.withforgiveness.com.
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