a lesson I have not learned – v3

maybe I could print it backward

put it on my forehead

so I would see it every time

I looked in the mirror

maybe I should tattoo it

write it on the back of my hand

someplace I wouldn’t miss it

keeping it close by me

truth in these words, in part,

a lesson I have not learned

but one whose truth I affirm

so many years of heartache

holding onto harms

not being able to be joyful

seeing only hurt and regret

not moving on with my life

a lesson I have not learned

“The first to apologize is the bravest.

The first to forgive is the strongest.

The first to forget is the happiest.”

the author is unknown

but so much truth in this simple phrase

so many years of heartache

holding onto harms

====

a lesson I have not learned – v3

(editing original again)

edited October 22, 2014

we must forgive

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/we-must-forgive.html

new October 22, 2014

we are to forgive

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/we-are-to-forgive.html

new October 22, 2014

to forgive to forget

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/to-forgive-to-forget.html

edited October 22, 2014

to forgive without forgetting – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/to-forgive-without-forgetting-v2.html

new October 21, 2014

to forgive without forgetting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/to-forgive-without-forgetting.html

based on profile quote of

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

https://twitter.com/TheDesmondTutu

“Forgiving is not forgetting; it's actually remembering—

remembering and not using your right to hit back.”

Mpho and Desmond Tutu for the #Forgiveness Challenge

Forgiveness Challenge

http://forgivenesschallenge.com/

The Book of Forgiving

http://forgivenesschallenge.com/book/

by Archibishop Desmond Tutu

https://www.facebook.com/DesmondTutuOfficial

and Reverend Mpho Andrea Tutu

https://www.facebook.com/mpho.tutu

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mpho-Andrea-Tutu/449943685134202  

and story of Corrie ten Boom about forgiving former Nazis

http://tenboom.com/en/

&

edited October 20, 2014

a lesson I must learn

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-lesson-i-must-learn.html

edited October 20, 2014

a lesson I have not learned – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-lesson-i-have-not-learned-v2.html

October 17, 2014

a lesson I have not learned

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-lesson-i-have-not-learned.html

https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss/posts/10152543923238003

“The first to apologize is the bravest.

The first to forgive is the strongest.

The first to forget is the happiest.”

author unknown

seen 10/17/2014

post 10/14/2014

https://www.facebook.com/rachelschallenge/photos/a.188918864473754.41998.109820289050279/819929781372656/

on Rachel’s Challenge

https://www.facebook.com/rachelschallenge

http://rachelschallenge.org/ 
https://twitter.com/rachelschalleng
http://instagram.com/rachelschalleng

and see

The first to forget is the happiest –

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-first-to-forget-is-the-happiest/457860517579019

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 33,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.