The Power of Forgiveness

• "I wish to have my family and friends know that I love them.
• I wish to be forgiven for the times I have hurt my family, friends, and others.
• I wish for my family, friends and others know that I forgive them for when they have hurt me in my life.
• I wish my family and friends to know that I do not fear death itself.  I think it is not the end but a new beginning for me.
• I wish for all my family members to make peace with each other before my death, if they can."

(From Five Wishes, a Living Will available from Aging With Dignity. page 9;  A read-only copy can be viewed at   http://www.agingwithdignity.org/forms/5wishes.pdf)

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My wife and I have Living Wills listing our preferences for end stage treatments.  We like the 5 Wishes format.  I was re-reading the 5 Wishes and noticed the bullets listed above.  Do you see the emphasis given to forgiveness?

Why should I wait until the end to forgive and be forgiven?  Why should my loved ones delay forgiveness and reconciliation until I am end stage?  I believe I should begin today to facilitate the spread of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is powerful.  Forgiveness brings peace.  Forgiveness trumps regrets.  There are times when I will not receive forgiveness; I can't do anything about that, but shame on me if I am too stubborn to forgive.

I plan on being around for many more years. I feel like I've been given some extra time. There is no reason for me to expect to be going into end stage anytime soon.    Now that I have this extra time, I will begin right now to forgive, to seek forgiveness, and to encourage others to do the same, especially my friends and loved ones.  

It is a worthy goal to assist someone to forgive.  It is wonderful to watch as someone is forgiven.  It is almost as much fun as when I forgive and am forgiven.  The length of our life is unknown and often is too short.  Life is too precious for me to be all bound up in an unforgiving attitude.

How about you?  Are you withholding forgiveness toward someone?  Will you continue to put off asking forgiveness for offenses you have made?

It does not matter who you are or what are the circumstances of your life.  Forgiveness is essential to your psychological and spiritual well being.  The sooner you forgive, the sooner you ask for forgiveness, the sooner you will begin to enjoy the peace and power of forgiveness.