to forgive without forgetting – v3

This is a lesson I must learn

if I am to be at peace

too long have I let pain,

hurt hold, constrain me

not letting go of anything

every sharp pain, every dull ache

remaining with me.

A lesson I must learn, first,

to be at peace, whole within my person,

“The first to apologize is the bravest.

The first to forgive is the strongest.

The first to forget is the happiest.”,

Not holding onto pain, sorrow, regret,

letting go of these things.

But maybe even more important

another, deeper lesson, to grow, to live,

to be able to forgive without forgetting

knowing the pain someone caused

yet choosing to forgive them

to let go of the deep hurt, the ache,

including the pain I caused myself.

====

edited October 3, 2015

to forgive without forgetting – v3

(editing version 2)

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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.