Loving Kindness--Really?--Yes. Really.

We've all done things we aren't proud of. We've made mistakes. We've hurt others. We've been unkind. We've judged. We've laughed at, not with, someone. We've thought ourselves to be better than some other people.

I know this to be true because we are all human, we're all breathing, and we all have our own beliefs about how the world functions, or how we think it should function.

Now because we are human and alive, we have also been hurt, judged, experienced loss, abuse and other trauma, have been laughed at, and belittled.

I know this to be true, because we are breathing, and all of this is part of our human experience.

But we are more than our past. We are more than our current circumstances. We are more than our behavior. We are more than our human experience.

Remember: "We are spiritual beings having a human experience." (Teilhard de Chardin)

But because we are having this human experience, it is sometimes hard to know, or to remember, that we all, each one of us, is a spiritual being.

I know for myself, the times when I have learned and grown so much, are the times when I have been in the depth of the "human experience," times of great sorrow and pain: when my sister was dying and when she died at age 36 of cancer; when my mom had married a physically abusive man when I was a little girl and I saw her being beaten; when I was sexually abused by an older step-brother; when I was aware of my family and me being judged by other adults at school and church; when I decided "I am no longer going to continue living my life this way," and chose to get a divorce from my second husband.

I know, too, that I was being held in God's arms, and I am thankful.

What about you? What are some of your human experiences? The good, the bad, and the ugly?

Do you know that you are more than your past, your current circumstances, your behavior, your human experience?

Have you forgiven yourself and others who have wronged you?

I've always struggled with forgiveness. But I can now say that I forgive myself and I forgive others who have hurt me. I simply don't want them taking up any more of my time, energy, thoughts, or feelings. But it's still a work in progress for me, because I'm human.

This Loving Kindness Meditation has helped me, and perhaps it can help you, too.

First, say this to yourself.

May you be happy. May you live in peace. May all things work together for good, for you. And, may you know love.

Second, in your mind, say this to someone who has hurt or wronged you.

May you be happy. May you live in peace. May all things work together for good, for you. And, may you know love.

(say it one more time)

May you be happy. May you live in peace. May all things work together for good, for you. And, may you know love.

And I say to you:

May you be happy. May you live in peace. May all things work together for good, for you. And, may you know love.

To Your Courageous Self!

Edie Savege-Weeks

Transformational Life Coach

ediesavageweeks.com