One Of My Heroes and a Quote That Helps To Explain Why

Posted on February 28, 2013 by russtowne

“As I walked out the door toward my freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind that I would still be in prison.” –Nelson Mandela (Source: Online Wellness Network)

A wise man indeed!

Love,
Russ

About russtowne

I'm awed by the beauty of nature and the power of love and gratitude. Some of my favorite sensory experiences include waves crashing on rocky shores, waterways in ancient redwood and fern-filled forests, and rain. My wife and I have been married since 1979. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I manage a wealth management firm that I founded in 2003. My Beloved is a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. I'm a published author of approximately 60 books in a variety of genres for grownups and children.

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This entry was posted in Adversity, Anger, Forgiveness, Freedom, Quotes I Love, Wisdom and tagged Anger, bitterness, freedom, hatred, Nelson Mandela, Onlne Wellness Network, prison. Bookmark the permalink.

10 Responses to One Of My Heroes and a Quote That Helps To Explain Why

gita4elamats says:

February 28, 2013 at 1:33 am

Reblogged this on ELANA – The Voice of the Future.

Reply
- russtowne says:
  
  February 28, 2013 at 2:02 am
  
  Thank you, Elana. I feel honored that you chose to re-blog this post.
  Russ
  
  Reply
  - gita4elamats says:
    
    February 28, 2013 at 2:23 am
    
    I had to, thanks for posting it.
    
    Reply
gita4elamats says:

February 28, 2013 at 1:34 am

How do you do that – leave it behind?

Reply
- russtowne says:
  
  February 28, 2013 at 2:02 am
  
  When one realizes that hatred, bitterness, and anger, are too heavy a burden to bear, and can consume and destroy their life, spirit, soul, and future–and they truly get that down to their core–then it becomes a choice. Wanting to is not good enough. Neither is false forgiveness, nor the “I want to forgive but I can’t” approach. Only true forgiveness, and moving on, is what it takes to break free from the internal chains and prisons that humans so often create for themselves. I have been stuck in such places until I realized I was only hurting myself, and I decided that I wanted to be happy and free of the terrible burdens of hatred, bitterness, and anger, that I did one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever done FOR MYSELF. I forgave. I wanted and needed to be happy, more than I wanted and needed to cling to my hatred, bitterness,and anger.
  
  Full disclosure: While my hatred and bitterness are gone and hopefully will never return, I still sometimes briefly get angry at the actions, attitudes, or words, of myself or others. I’m not anger-free, just mostly anger-free. And the bouts of anger rarely last more than a few seconds or minutes. I’m still a work in progress, but considering where I started, I feel great about how far I’ve come.
  
  Russ
  
  Reply
  - gita4elamats says:
    
    February 28, 2013 at 3:04 am
    
    Thanks Russ but it is tough!
    
    Reply
    - russtowne says:
      
      February 28, 2013 at 3:48 am
      
      I know. I’ve been to that wall and stuck in that place. I learned that it’s tough to be stuck too. May you experience even greater lasting happiness and inner peace.
      Russ
      
      Reply
      - gita4elamats says:
        
        February 28, 2013 at 4:01 am
        
        🙂
        
        Reply
Apostle, Dr. Teora says:

February 28, 2013 at 2:14 am

Reblogged this on In The Prophetic Ministries and commented:
It is beautiful to be under grace. We don’t deserve it. Peace is the answer to our storms, love, and most of all forgiveness.

Reply
- russtowne says:
  
  February 28, 2013 at 3:50 am
  
  Thank you for re-blogging this, and for your comments. Welcome to my humble online home. May you always feel welcome here.
  Russ
  
  Reply