GET RID OF THAT GUILTY FEELING

Many of us find it easy to forgive others but find it impossible to forgive ourselves. Roman philosopher Carto admits this when he says “I can pardon everybody’s mistakes except my own.” Yet learning to forgive you is one of the basic steps of cultivation the spirit of forgiveness for all. If you cannot forgive yourself, how will you forgive others?

Forgive oneself is essential for self- acceptance. This doesn't mean that we give up our moral or ethical standards and justify all our actions. It only means that we learn to accept ourselves as we are, including our May shortcomings.

For some reason people persist in being harsh with them; they become inflexible and judgmental. Some people carry a lifelong sense of guilt because they could not become a doctor, or an engineer --- something that their parents wanted them to do. Many mothers refuse to forgive themselves when their children do not turnout right. Wives blame themselves when a marriage breaks down… it is strange, but our acceptance of ourselves seems to depend on other’s acceptance of us!

Many of us carry on our hearts, heavy loads of guilt which rob us of our peace of mind. No man is perfect. Every one of us has done some wrongs in the past, near or remote. We must repent and, if possible make amends. We must pray for wisdom and strength not to repeat the wrong and then forget about it.

The moment that an individual accepts and forgives himself, is the moment of renewal, a new beginning.

Dada J.P Vaswani