Forgiveness

Sometimes when the walls of bitterness are caving in around you and the temptation to give in is almost insurmountable.  The frayed ends of my nerves burn with an intensity never felt before. And yet, the power of forgiveness is my protection. When the Buddha was spit on as he sat under the tree in meditation, he responded to the man, "what is next?"  He did not respond with anger, bitterness, and contempt.  Forgiveness is my ability to keep my mind clear and my soul grounded. It does not come easy but I think about the strength of mind and body it took for the Buddha to sit there calmly.  Surely I can forgive and move on with the important task of calming my mind and soul and caring for my children and trying to teach them the same. The ebbs and flow of life, filled with happiness and the most intense sadness, are the times that remind me that I am human.  Breath in, breath out.