Quotes of Forgiveness… Quote from this website…”Do One Thing Quotes”
“We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate — thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising.”
— Maya Angelou
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Judy and I turned on the Maya Angelou Memorial Service this morning. We were inspired by the many speakers, including Oprah Winfrey. Oprah spoke of Maya in so many special ways as the “most wonderful women she has ever known.” She also mentioned several times of Maya’s belief that forgiveness of self and others is paramount in living a full life in service to others…a life larger than self… Only then can we experience our full potential as human beings…
During the last two weeks on our journey to New Mexico to participate in the opening of a museum dedicated to military families, book signings, visits to the memorials of veterans, and talks about children and families in life after trauma, the most important consistent discussion topic has been about forgiveness.
Before it was possible for me to move forward from the pain of a traumatic childhood experience, including learning about the secondary effects of trauma on the children and families of warriors, I was able to forgive myself. Once learning that forgiving myself was a critical first step, I felt profound forgiveness for my father and mother.
I did not dismiss the abuse and emotional neglect experienced as a child, but embraced it as a way to move forward in my own life, and make a difference for others as part of my journey of healing. My other favorite quote by Maya Angelou… “There is no greater agony than bearing the untold story inside of you” helps me each day to make the choice to continue on my journey.
There was a time not too long ago that I felt that forgiving myself was impossible and not even appropriate. Little did I know for so much of my adult life that the only way to forgive others, is to forgive yourself first. Maya Angelou was also one of the greatest teachers on the planet and her legacy will live on forever…
Children and Families in Life After Trauma
Steve Sparks, Author, Reconciliation: A Son’s Story…
