Thursday, September 25, 2008

I Forgive Me

Although, truthfully, I haven't heard it at all this year (yet), generally when it gets close to Rosh Hashana, hallways, sidewalks, gchats, facebook messages, cell phones all ring with the token phrase: "are you mochel me?"

There are so many times throughout the year that we wrong each other, both intentionally and unintentionally. It's actually quite comforting to know there's a designated time each year for both forgiving and for getting forgiven. Getting forgiven, not just by God, but by our friends and family, as well.

But there's another important person to remember to forgive. Yourself. How many times do we think lowly of ourselves or don't give ourselves enough credit? How many times do we do something to our own detriment? How many times do we pass up opportunities or fail to rise to our potential? How many times do we not trust ourselves? And how many times do we feel frustrated about all of these things, which only makes us feel even worse?

Yet how many times do we actually give ourselves a break? How many times do we accept our faults and struggles and difficulties from the year not as things which make us bad but just as things we, as good people, have to work through? How many times do we actually forgive ourselves?

I think it's about time we did.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

:-) Nice. You're so right.

Diana said...

Very good point!

corner point said...

...

:'(

G said...

LOL...somehow I don't think the average person has all that much trouble cutting themselves a little slack.

--It is a nice thought all the same

--personally I think people could do well to hold themselves a little more accountable.

Ezzie said...

G - Depends on the person, but I hear.

Erachet said...

G - I hear what you're saying. Most people I know, though, have been too hard on themselves over one thing or another, even if it's something small. I never meant to imply that people shouldn't take responsibility for their actions.

Northern Light said...

Um, MY problem is I forgive myself too much! NOW is the time for me to get tough on myself! I'd be a lot more productive if I'd be more disciplined rather than letting myself slide! But not everyone is the same that way.

the apple said...

Agreed with what G said - and I don't think people struggle as much with forgiving themselves as they do with forgiving others.

Erachet said...

Apple - depends on the person and the situation, I suppose. From my experience, a lot of people would be able to find times when they weren't being fair to themselves.

Bas~Melech said...

Well, you can speak for yourselves. I, for one, have a hard time not beating myself up over mistakes. (Of course, I'm so perfect that that's rarely a problem ;-) )

Now I have secret, hidden text like on SerandEz!