THE ART OF FORGIVENESS

On this Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, it is interesting to me how smart the ancients were, how "New Age." After all, they were saying that as a New Year began, one should reflect on the past, go over one's mistakes, repent, and begin a process of forgiveness and healing--in short, "turning the page" and starting a New Year fresh. (They even talk of being inscribed in a Book of Life, so this concept of "turning the page" is as old, if not older, than the hills themselves!) They understood that the psychic burden of nursing grudges hurt the bearer far worse than those who supposedly inflicted the injuries, and that by releasing and letting go, one can start a process of healing, which in turn will lead to a better year. Human nature gives us knowledge of our actions, and with that knowledge, we continually browbeat ourselves. (Well, especially if you are a Jewish writer type!) Positive energy helps us build, while nursing old grievances only destroys. The only chance of breaking such a negative cycle is absolution--creating a tabula rasa, a clean slate. By asking for and by granting forgiveness, we are redeemed. Energy that would be wasted in pointless grudge matches is released for positive usage. And in forgiving others, we also learn to forgive ourselves. (It is often the harms we have done to ourselves that are cruelest and most in need of forgiveness.) So as "old-fashioned" as the holiday may be, it is also at once cutting edge. Redemption allows for re-building and progress, and redemption can only come from forgiveness. So at this time, let us all forgive (if not forget) each other and ourselves, and build a stronger future.

It sounds basic and simple--but it is oh-so-hard to do!