As we realize our need to be forgiven, we tend to be more forgiving.
Basic Text, p. 39
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Our behavior toward other people in our life is a mirror of our behavior toward ourselves. When we demand perfection of ourselves, we come to demand it from others around us, too. As we strive to repair and heal our lives in recovery, we may also expect others to work just as hard and to recover at the same pace as we do. And just as we are often unforgiving of our own mistakes, we may shut out friends and family members when they dont meet our expectations.
Working the steps helps us understand our own limitations and our humanity. We come to see our failures as human mistakes. We realize that we will never be perfect, that we will, at times, disappoint ourselves and others. We hope for forgiveness.
As we learn to gently accept ourselves, we can start to view others with the same accepting and tolerant heart. These people, too, are only human, trying to do their best and sometimes falling short.
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Just for today: I will treat others with the tolerance and forgiveness I seek for myself.
Forgiveness is a beautiful spiritual principle. It is cleansing. I used to hold resentments forever. Now, I am much better at forgiving others. Forgiving myself is harder. Much harder. I sort of feel that this is just another form of self centered pride. After all, if God has forgiven me, who the hell am I not to forgive myself?
As I get better ,immediately recognizing,my junk I find It works for everyones benefit,but most of all to the God of my understanding.I also agree with Don, and this was debated awhile back,that If God can forgive me who am I not to be able to forgive myself.It may not be scriptural ,but we are a "spiritual,not religious, program and to even entertain the thought of not being able to forgive myself doesnt align with priciples from my perspective. If it is said that only God can forgive.(if that is your faith beliefs?)do we we want to use semantics and can say we have made "amends" with ourselves...nahh too crappy for me,,I forgive myself and others so that I may be forgiven...Not off on a tangent now Mike :) :)
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I have had a difficult time forgiving myself. I agree that if God can forgive me, then I should too. But I'm not God, and my imperfection often prevents me from fully forgiving myself.
Wow, this got deep. All I know is that if I could apply the spiritual principle of forgiveness to myself as well as I can apply it to others, I would be happier with great peace of mind. I truly do not care what the bible may have to say about it.
