Under employed but I have a roof over my head, food to eat, my health and beautiful friends.
Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.
- Alfred Painter
A while back. I went into a store for some water. There was an old, pan handler sitting outside. Sun and wind burned from a life on the streets. I have seen him before. It was blistering hot and I didn't see if he had anything to drink. I picked up an extra bottle of cold water for him. When I walked by he muttered "Spare change?"
I responded. "No, but take this water. It's hot."
Suddenly, this quiet, beggar sneers at me. "I don't want no water."
I was a little stunned. What an ingrate! All he wanted was money to buy alcohol with. I rarely give money to pan handlers because of this. But to refuse a simple kindness because it's not what you want seems ludicrous. Especially when you're BEGGING!
Talk about inviting bad karma. Him and me. I was in a terrible mood all day because I let that incident bother me instead of letting it go.
Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves.
- Sidney and Suzanne Simon
Life, it's a learning experience.
