I admire the creativity of the person who created the “Coexist” graphic which is spelled out using several religious symbols. It is clever and important message.
Coexisting is a great first step toward global peace. And, I believe that humanity has the potential to do and be so much more.
We can forgive. Share. Help and support each other. Transform from “them” and “us” to simply and magnificently “us”. And we can do it while celebrating the many ways that we are unique as well as all the ways we are the same.
What most excites me about all of this is that each of us has in our power to do, think, and feel these things rignt now, and in so doing, bring the world that much closer to the day when all of humanity can truly experience peace, love, and fairness, as one.
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
If only dreams could be reality. I will celebrate the day and always work towards it in my own little way. xx
It has been my experience that when people with dreams take action and persevere new realities are often created.
May your dreams become reality.
Russ
The hardest part of forgiving for me-is to “forgive” someone” who has done you wrong and they wont admit that they did anything…it makes the ability to forgive or even put on the back burner very difficult.
Hi, beebee. I understand. I carried anger and bitterness for much of my life. In some cases I noticed that the people who had done things that led to my anger and bitterness–and refused to even acknowledge what they’d done–had gotten on with their lives while I was still mired in pain and worse.
Over time, I began to realize how much my feelings of hurt, anger, resentment, and bitterness were hurting me while not hurting them in any way. In some cases they may not have even thought about me for a long time.
So I did a hugely selfish thing. I forgave them. I refused to let their old actions have so much control over me anymore. I did it completely for myself. I kept focusing on myself and my needs rather than on their actions. I made it all about me.
Over time, I was able to begin healing. Amazingly, at some point, I even began to notice that that I’d become a better person as a result.
Later still, I began to appreciate the “bad” events and betrayals, the lies and deceptions, for what the situations had helped me to become.
Stronger. More empathetic. Wiser. Kinder.
Those were MY choices and MY actions, and I was proud for having made and taken them.
I didn’t stop trusting people less, but myself more. I worked on myself, and focused on what I wanted most in my life.
At the top of my list was people who loved, trusted, and appreciated me for who I am. I had a lot of work to do on myself, but it got easier, and over time my relationships and world began to transform into something beautiful and magnificent, from one that had been lonely, dark, and cold.
I have much respect and empathy for anyone who struggles to forgive. I know it can be a big–sometimes huge–challenge, but I wish everyone who is in that place great success.
I don’t know who hurt you or how badly, my friend. But I do know that I and many, many others wish good things for you, easing of your pain, and healing.
May you find what you seek and get what you need.
Russ
Russ
Russ,
I felt the energy and hope and strength coming off the page as I read this post.
I do believe that each of us changes the world by our existence- in each moment, even by what might seem the smallest of things. We can be a force of nature, sending ripples of kindness and strength emanating outward. I really believe it’s true and so I join you in the hope you express so beautifully here.
Thank you.
Tom
Thank you for your kind comments, and especially for the way that you choose to be in each moment that you smile, lighten the burden of another, and show kindness in so many ways.
A friend named Billl (whom I’ve not yet met except via the internet), said it well:
“Kindness is love in action.”
Thank you for your love in action, Tom.
Russ ,