Temple of Forgiveness

Below is a short story that was sent to be by my aunt. It got me thinking about somethings and prompted me to write the following.

It is one of the hardest things to do in life, which is probably why we do it so rarely and avoid it whenever possible. It is much easier to retain the anger or grief than it is to let it go. Forgiving someone for wronging you or for being part of something that no one could control is a very difficult task. It takes more courage and bravery than pretty much anything else that any of us will ever do. On top of that it is one of the numerous things that we all have the off chance of being part of at some point. But why is it so challenging for us to forgive? I can not say that I rightly know the answer to that question or that there is even an answer for it. But it is worth thinking about.

In all truth forgiveness is probably one of the best gifts that you could ever give to any person. In fact forgiveness can even be used as a weapon against further injury. For example if someone robs your house and you find out who it was and you walk up to them, look them in the eye and with your whole heart behind the statement say "I forgive you," you maybe surprised by the outcome. It might just have more of a positive effect on their life than you ever even imagined.

I am sure that at one time or another someone has forgiven you for something that you had done to them. The release of emotions that comes with being forgiven for something that you believe or know that you should not receive such an act of kindness for is earth shattering. But being forgiven by someone else is merely an act of kindness, the key is to be able to forgive yourself. This, at least in my opinion, is even harder than forgiving someone else. One reason may be because you in your heart still feel that you should not be forgiven that you must pay some higher price but honestly that is not for you to decide. Letting go of the feeling that you should not be forgiven is not easy and I am not sure that there is any person in the world who could tell another how it can be achieved. It is simply one of those things that you must figure out how to do for yourself. Perhaps another reason why forgiving yourself is so tremendously hard is because you are afraid that even if you forgive yourself that the other party may not be so generous.

In any case forgiveness is beautiful and heart warming act, as long as it is true, genuine and without motive. To do such a selfless thing without reservation, without the idea of gaining anything for it, just for the pure and humble belief that by doing so you will make someone else's life a little bit better (and possibly your own as well) is a true gift of the heart. The person receiving such a gift will probably never forget what you have given them.

So since Christmas is near and the holiday season is a time for good will towards men (as is so often quoted in those cheery holiday songs we all dearly love) if for no other reason than it is Christmas, try forgiving someone if you have someone whom you need to forgive. You maybe surprised at how much better you feel about yourself and your life.

And now the story that prompted all of this:

True story. When we lived near Oceana Naval Air Station, we considered jet noise the sound of freedom. Just two days ago here in San Diego, an F-18 Hornet lost its engine after takeoff from the carrier. Unable to land back on the ship with only one engine, the pilot tried to make it to the tarmac at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Just blocks from the runway, the pilot lost his second engine. He tried desperately to make it to open space beyond the neighborhood (which, by the way, was seriously encroaching on the runway), stayed with his bird until the last possible second, ejected, and the jet landed up in a residential street and slid into a house, setting it on fire. Inside the house was a young mother, her mother, and her two children (2 and 15 months of age) - none survived the impact and the fire that immediately engulfed the home. The devastated father/husband/son-in-law gave a press conference yesterday, where he said, among other gracious and thoughtful things, that he forgave the pilot, saying that he knew he did everything he could to get the jet to safety, and that, as a member of the military, the pilot was a treasure to our nation. The man is a recent KOREAN IMMIGRANT. I don't forward this to make any political statement on the present or future administration, or the wisdom (or lack thereof) of our involvement in Iraq. This story and the one below simply speak to the true patriotism of those who love this country and appreciate those who died in service of it.