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Post by sharon on Mar 3, 2012 9:40:41 GMT -6
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Post by sharon on Mar 3, 2012 9:47:20 GMT -6
It also reminded me of Norm Coleman's supposed Yom Kippur repentance in 2008. The Strib printed my letter to the editor about that www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=30917264. The biggest difference is that Mehlman is supposedly apologizing directly to those he has harmed when he meets them in person. Coleman's "repentance" included press conferences about his supposed change of heart but no actual direct apology, as Judaism requires. It made me mad because he was parading being Jewish as a publicity stunt, when he wasn't actually behaving as Judaism teaches. These are both Jewish men, and obviously I see this through a Jewish lens. But it has me wondering what others experiences with forgiveness are.
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Post by Susan824 on Mar 3, 2012 13:20:04 GMT -6
I don't have an actual experience to share publicly. However, I like your post and it does get me thinking about both the complexity and yet the simplicity of forgiveness. When people's actions don't match their words (after the apology), then I question if they had a hidden agenda that prompted the apology.
I just have to share my two favorite quotes about forgiveness >>>
“Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.” -- Sara Paddison
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." -- Gandhi
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Post by sharon on Mar 3, 2012 16:52:30 GMT -6
Rush Limbaugh just issued an apology to Sandra Fluke.
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Post by cwolbeck on Mar 4, 2012 16:08:18 GMT -6
Rush Limbaugh said horrible things about that poor girl!
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Post by colleen on Mar 4, 2012 18:24:12 GMT -6
My ex, we'll just say is a horrible guy and I will never forgive him. A part of me wishes I could so I could lose the anger I have towards him.
This has nothing to do with being harmed. But it has to do with forgiveness. My brother (who is my half brother and about 15 years older than me) has not seen my child at all. My son will turn 1 on the 25th. I have decided not to invite him to his birthday party because I don't think he deserves to be invited. I use to be close to him and things have changed dramatically over the years. I don't think I can ever forgive him at this point. It would take a lot that's for sure and I have started to feel like he is not my brother. Thing is I will be inviting my other half siblings so I know it will be akward for people.
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Post by sharon on Mar 4, 2012 18:28:15 GMT -6
I don't think forgiveness always means letting someone into your life. I have people I have definitely forgiven, but also would not invite into my life.
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Post by colleen on Mar 4, 2012 19:40:39 GMT -6
I don't think forgiveness always means letting someone into your life. I have people I have definitely forgiven, but also would not invite into my life. I suppose that is very true. It's just hard at the moment. And like I said, I do hope I can just let it go. But when it still feels like an open fresh wound....it will take a bit to heal.
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Post by sharon on Mar 8, 2012 16:57:10 GMT -6
I had a friend who dropped me when I came out. She said some pretty awful hateful things and almost uninvited me from a big event (others in her family at least talked her into not uninviting me, as I had already made travel plans and THEY wanted me there). I was really hurt and really disappointed in her. We had known each other many years and for her to suddenly decide I was someone she didn't want in her life just because I had come out was really awful.
I respected her wishes though, and after that event, just let it be. Years later she contacted me and apologized and said that her own issues were keeping her from being a good friend and from seeing that she was being bigoted. She sounded truly sorry and so I did forgive her and we are back in touch. I've seen her a couple of times since (she lives many states away) and she has been very loving and sweet. I do totally forgive her because not only did she say the words, but her treatment of me and my family since then has shown that she truly meant them.
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