Gift of Forgiveness

For-GIVE

I still remember my reaction when I saw the first homeless person (a beggar) in Toronto Subway (underground train network) for the first time. I was puzzled as to what can I give to someone who lives in a country with free health care, unemployment insurance and a welfare system?  In the subsequent years, I have given them food, money, smiles, stares, but most of all just pure ignorance! Passing by them every day, my thoughts exactly, “ What can I give? I am just a student, with my own debt to pay and no job guaranteed after my graduation.”

I was naive enough to think 

Giving--- requires me to have money

Giving--- can only be in monetary form (except may be food)

Giving--- will make me poor , and someone else richer.

aaaah! Stupid shallow teenage philosophies! 

*****

Christmas is the season of giving.  And giving comes in many forms...

We can stop by a stranger and give a minute of our time to strike a conversation... or we can crack a joke and make someone laugh... or

we can give up a parking spot for someone... or dial a number from our contacts and say words of appreciation. If we want to, and if we care to, there are limitless act of kindness that are well within our reach.  

Though, the greatest gift of all is forgiveness.  On the birth day of Jesus Christ, who has forgiven all sins of mankind, we can too practice small acts of forgiveness.

Let us forgive those who weren’t there when we needed them the most. Forgive those who may have hurt us with or without intentions.  Forgive a friend who has not picked up your call, or a family member who could not comprehend you at all. Forgive the teacher that did not believe in you, and the boss who saw much less in you. Most vital of all, forgive yourself for being so unforgiving; and rise to embrace your new self that lives FOR- GIVING.

Though, dare not to forgive those tears for falling at the wrong time, and the smile that disappeared from time to time. In this upcoming year, they both shall be punished hard, the tears must only flow when you smile at heart. Look at the chaos our unforgiveness has done, forget the Old, now! that the New has begun.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Much love.

Zarna

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Additional links related to this topic:
The wisdom of forgiving

Used vs. Loved

Today, I dared to stand between the age old battle of living vs. Non-living. In my recent experience of shifting my home, I ended up throwing out 50% of things in my room. It was an eye opening experience, as to how many things we accumulate, and how many things we can do without. In some cases, the decisions were painful. How to choose between things you value, things you need, and things you want? 

Why are we so attached to Things- which never speaks, never reacts and never show any emotions? May be that’s exactly why…! Because they don’t speak, react or express, they are easy to rule over. Being in possession of things, we feel empowered. Anarchy is long gone, but the desire to rule relics in our hearts. [May be that’s why we find joy in keeping pets and servants]. The mere idea that something is “MINE” is enough to have us feel important. Furthermore, some things get passed on from generation to generation. Things have a fascinating potential to outlast people and remain Immortal! 

Materialism focuses on things so much that we forget that its value is because of people. What is the use of a phone if there remains no one to call to? Or receive call from? Even on the web, most popular sites are those that connect you with people (eg. facebook), not things.

People__are__mortal, and therefore, they should be valued more, loved more, and cherished more. “Things are to be used and people are to be loved. The problem in today's world is that people are used while things are loved.” (Full story below)

The question is: are we living for things? Or do we need things to live?
Do we value people based on things, or value things based on people?

People we grew up with are no longer around us, people we see today may not be there tomorrow, which is why our time with people is precious, and priceless. Let us reflect on that and make sure to leave some time for people while we race against time to achieve “things”.

Moral of the story: Things are NO-thing without People.

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THE STORY

Used vs. Loved

While a man was polishing his new car,his 4 yr old son picked up a stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child's hand and hit it many times not realizing he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures. When the child saw his father.....
with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?'

The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times. Devastated by his own actions......sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches;
the child had written ' I LOVE YOU DAD'. The next day that man committed suicide. .

Anger and Love have no limits; choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely life & remember this:
Things are to be used and people are to be loved.
The problem in today's world is that people are used while things are loved.

Let's try always to keep this thought in mind: Things are to be used, People are to be loved.