Forgiveness

Today marks the 9th anniversary of the day the Twin Towers were struck by planes.  It is a time of great sorrow for this country; in particular, the city in which I live.  The country has clearly not yet healed from this attack.  The anger and fear that many people have is still being directed at the Muslim community as a whole.  This weekend has seen a pastor threatening to burn the Quran as well as the continued protest of the building of a Muslim community center.  I understand why so many have anger and fear but it seems to me that the anger is being misplaced.  Because it is impossible for people to take their anger out on Al Queda specifically, any ol' Muslim American (or Muslim-LOOKING American - whatever that is) will do.

There is only one key to finally letting this anger and fear and hatred go and that is forgiveness.  We have to forgive the terrorists for attacking us.  We do not have to forget but we have to forgive.  Holding on to the anger doesn't hurt the terrorists; it only hurts us. Holding on to our fear doesn't hurt the terrorists; it only hurts us.  Holding on to our hatred doesn't hurt the terrorists; it only hurts us.  Have you heard the saying "Don't bother holding on to anger at other people because half of the people don't know that you are angry with them and the other half don't care"?  It absolutely applies here.  They don't care.

This country needs to heal in order to move forward.  Forgiveness will help the healing process.  It is not easy.  I speak from experience.  I was sexually molested as a child and I also had a father who severely emotionally abused me.  In time, I forgave them both.  Forgiveness can be incredibly difficult; however, I do not believe that healing can occur without it.

You can do your part.  Hold the people who flew the planes into the buildings in your mind and tell them that you forgive them.  Don't do it for them.  Do it for yourself.  Leave that anger in the past.  Leave that hatred in the past.  Step into the present moment free from all that toxic and negative emotion.  If you release your anger and hatred do you know what will happen?  There will a little less anger and hatred in the world.  And *that* would truly be an amazing thing.