Honest Abe, “I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away.” What a powerful statement. Powerful enough it dig deep within ones soul, to ask ones-self: Do I forgive? Do I hold on to resentment? Am I consumed by unproductive thoughts? Am I a bitter person? Like I said before am I missing something? How powerful can this be to just let go…
Just forgive and forget was told to me a long time ago.
To forgive and forget means to let go of any resentment or negative feelings towards someone who has wronged you and to not dwell on the past offense.
The origin of this statement is not clear, but it is believed to have originated from the Bible. In the King James Version, it says in Colossians 3:13, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
The idea of forgiveness is also found in many other religious and spiritual traditions, maybe we forget this concept all too often.
The idea of a new heart a new spirit, goes back to more of the Bible I have heard before and the exact verse I had to research (sorry Pastor Bob – my confirmation teacher who I remember teaching us this) in Ezekiel 36:26-27, where God promises to give the Israelites a new heart and a new spirit, and to put His spirit within them, so that they may follow His commands and live according to His ways. This passage suggests that a person’s heart and spirit can be renewed or transformed by divine intervention, resulting in a new life and a new relationship with God.
The phrase has also been used in secular contexts to describe a transformative experience or a significant change in a person’s outlook on life. For example, someone might say that a difficult experience or a meaningful conversation gave them a new heart and a new spirit, meaning that they have gained a new perspective or a renewed sense of purpose.
I do believe I must stay with the same structure as the previous analysis and ask how does this statement effect the four aspects I thought effected me and the people around me the most and that is as a teacher, a dad, athletes and coaches
The statement “I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit” can be a powerful tool for teachers, dads, athletes, and coaches in a number of ways.
For teachers, this statement can remind them to approach their students with empathy and understanding, rather than with anger or frustration. When a student misbehaves or makes a mistake, a forgiving spirit can help the teacher to see the situation from the student’s perspective and respond in a way that is compassionate and constructive.
For dads, this statement can help them to let go of past grievances and focus on building positive relationships with their children. It can remind them to be patient and understanding when their children make mistakes, and to offer forgiveness and support when their children need it most.
For athletes, this statement can help them to stay focused on their goals, even in the face of setbacks or disappointments. It can remind them to be forgiving of themselves and their teammates when things don’t go as planned, and to stay positive and motivated throughout the ups and downs of competition.
For coaches, this statement can help them to create a culture of forgiveness and acceptance within their teams. It can remind them to prioritize character development and sportsmanship over winning at all costs, and to encourage their athletes to learn from their mistakes and grow as individuals and as a team.
For teachers and educators, Dads and moms, athletes and trainers, coaches and administrators, greeting the day with a forgiving spirit means approaching their work with an open mind, a compassionate heart, and a willingness to see the best in their students, athletes, kids, spouses etc. This can be especially challenging in an educational system that often places a heavy emphasis on testing, grades, and standards.
However, by adopting a forgiving spirit, teachers and coaches can create a more positive and supportive learning environment for their students. Here are a few ways that this can be done:
- Empathy and Understanding: When a student makes a mistake or acts out in class, it can be easy to respond with anger or frustration. However, by approaching the situation with empathy and understanding, teachers can help to de-escalate the situation and show their students that they care about their well-being.
- Forgiveness and Second Chances: Teachers can model forgiveness by offering second chances to their students when they make mistakes. This doesn’t mean that there are no consequences for misbehavior or poor academic performance, but rather that students are given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and make amends.
- Positive Reinforcement: By focusing on the positive things that their students do, teachers can help to build their self-esteem and confidence. This can be done through praise, encouragement, and recognition of their achievements, no matter how small.
- Personal Growth: Teachers can use their own experiences to show their students that everyone makes mistakes, and that it’s okay to learn from them and grow as a person. This can help students to develop a growth mindset, which can lead to greater academic success and personal fulfillment.
By greeting each day with a forgiving spirit, us stakeholders can create a more positive and supportive learning environment for them, which can lead to greater academic success, personal growth, and happiness.
I thought about this a lot as today passed and came up with an action plan of ideas.
Here are some general ideas for things you could do today:
- Practice self-care: Take time to care for yourself today, whether that means getting enough sleep, taking a relaxing bath, or going for a walk in nature.
- Connect with loved ones: Reach out to a friend or family member and spend time connecting with them, whether it’s over the phone, through text, or in person.
- Learn something new: Take the opportunity to learn something new today, whether it’s reading a book, taking an online course, or trying a new hobby.
- Volunteer or give back: Find ways to give back to your community or help those in need, whether it’s volunteering at a local charity or donating to a cause you care about.
- Set goals for the day: Take some time to set achievable goals for the day, whether they’re related to work, personal growth, or hobbies.
Remember that there are countless possibilities for things you could do today, and the most important thing is to find something that brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.
