Befriending Our Feelings

When we befriend our feelings we become free to face the person who harmed us without rancor.

One of the best things about mindfulness is that it brings us into balance. If we tend to counterattack when someone hurts us, then a moment of mindfilness gives us ttime to act thoughtfully and compassionately. If we tend to hold in our hurt and anger, then awareness lets us know exactly how we feel and gives us courage to express those feelings to the other person. It isn't necessary to hold everything inside. It's important to let other persons know that they have harmed you. Sometimes the harm is unintentional, caused by the other person's lack of mindfulness.

For all the harm you have done me. knowingly or unknowingly, I forgive you. Just because someone acted unintentionally, does not mean that he can't learn and grow. If you don't gentally call on his transgressions, then the thoughtless actions will continue. When we find the delicate balance between aggressive response and whimping out, then we can act without an agenda. We say what we fill without expecting anything in return.

Taken from Heart of Forgivness by Madeline Ko-i Bastis

Once I began to even acknowledge my feelings things improved. Now that I am allowing the feelings to be a part of me and just sit with them life is even better. I am looking forward to the future finally, and that is a good feeling.