Forgiveness: Given and Requested

2009-03-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

Part of my personal life experiment with a public presence is to say most genuinely to those I have wronged that I am profoundly sorry, and I humbly apologize (two very different things). And I am saying it again if you are one I have already gotten the (sacred) chance to say it to before now.

Sometimes being wronged can require more than knowing it, regretting it intensely, and apologizing. That's why coffee, dialogue, and fresh starts were invented - to start exploring possible ways to make amends where needed. Bring it to the table, please.

Some may feel they have wronged me, and I may or may not agree - in fact, I may or may not have any idea whatsoever you feel that way. In that case, well, that's why coffee, dialogue, and fresh starts were invented. From where I stand now, I know of very few, if any, wrongs against me that I have not, or am not at this moment, forgiving.

I can think of no wrong against me that can not be cleared and paid forward to others if necessary by means of - you got it - coffee, dialogue, and fresh starts. I can think of no wrong where showing up to me will not wipe it clean. And if showing up will never happen, but you wish it could - then, consider it done. I'll drink your coffee and raise the mug to you. And of course, I am more certain every day I have wronged folks (either known or not really known) in ways I never imagined, or to extents I never dreamed. My deepest regrets, sincere apologies, and invitation to coffee, dialogue, and fresh starts apply with equal fervor.

Please understand this pertains not only to that abyss we call "the Past." I hope we all can get smarter about not hurting each other not just in our sometimes unfathomably naive and often cruel younger years, but from youngest grade school years forward, locally and globally, whether intentionally or through ignorance, into that other abyss we call "The Future."

Thank you Martin Heidegger (Being and Time), despite your possible shortcomings (again, forgiveness), for sorting out as well as anyone how all these times collapse into that infinity we call "now."

None of this is to say I am naive enough, or somehow think I am morally above, thinking there are no inherent enemies, ideologically or practically. I don't suggest everyone can be "friends" per se - I just hope that, when and where possible, those who are so inclined have an opportunity to, and be brave enough to cover a multitude of bad stuff with a simple dose of good stuff (forgiveness).

With truly established, purposeful enemies (a complex enough issue to sort out), we must just let the chips fall where they may.

old dam forgiveness and amends

Forgiveness: Given and Requested