From the publisher…The Age of Forgiveness
Alexander Pope said, “To err is human; to forgive is divine.”
A former banker of mine said, “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”
Doug, the banker, was on to something. There is something special about being willing to forgive. The soul opens up when you forgive.
Perhaps that is when we are closest to Divinity. A few years ago I used the phrase “A culture of lying” which means there are so many ways we conceal our lies, but I think we have moved into an “age of forgiveness.”
Just look at the landscape. I’m sure you have heard the phrase, that Americans are a forgiving people.
After all, who is as close to God as Americans? From our politicians to our most famous, all that we seem to ask for is an apology, a mea culpa and that’s that. The longer you hold out and try to fight it, the more harshly you will be judged.
Kobe Bryant engaged in an adulterous affair and came out with his wife in his arms, cried and said I’m sorry. We forgave him. Without going down the list, if you come out and say you’re sorry, you will receive forgiveness.
We divinely forgive. The shorter conversation is the list of people that remain unforgiven. They remain unforgiven not for their acts, but they’re refusal to acknowledge their behavior and as for forgiveness. Yes OJ being one of the few. Growing up I would often hear of someone holding a grudge. Grudge holding is so 20th century.
When was the last time you held a grudge against someone? It just doesn’t stick anymore. Look to the high road in your life. You don’t have to use anger as a tool of perceived strength. People look for sincerity.
If you have done something that is wrong or simply made a poor decision and are truly contrite you will be forgiven. It’s sort of what we do. We truly are a forgiving people.
I’d like to ask forgiveness for my Super Bowl pick from last week. I picked the Colts. Wrong. The Saints are champions and everyone is good with Dat. Although I must point out, I have never seen so many bandwagon jumpers. Really?
All of you have always loved the Saints?
And stop spelling GO (GEAUX) Saints. That doesn’t make you Cajun. It’s makes you stupid.
Why can’t John Mayer shut up? Just when I started to like him, he has to go and act out. Now I see why he performed an instrumental at Michael Jackson’s funeral. If he would have spoken, he most likely would have offended someone. He actually needs to stop apologizing. He’s more annoying the more he says he’s sorry.
Finally, a seven year old will be leading Carnival in Rio this year. That’s awful. Can you imagine a child doing the samba on a float with makeup dressed like that?
The next thing she will do is join a dance troop and become and junior high cheerleader. Have you seen how they dance?
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Forgive me?