The abc's of a momentary monk: f is for forgiveness

The greatest temptation in the interior life is to make ourselves our own God. It is a good thing to know what my contribution to the planet is. But it is entirely another to presume that I have all the gifts that there are.

Each of us has been given something for the sake of others. Each of us has a contribution to make to the world that will make the world a better place; whether a teacher, a writer, or an artist. This gift to the world is why we are here on the planet for this brief breath of time.

It is altogether entirely destructive to presume that becasue I have a gift that I have them all and no one has any. I constantly marvel at people who do what they do so well it looks easy when it would be a very difficult movement on my part to bend my body, or my character to find a small place to do what they have just done so effortlessly. 

In these places where I presume to have all of the gifts that i need forgiveness. William Shakespeare said in Hamlet, "Bow, stubborn knees." This is what I need to do; bow- you stubborn arrogant human. 

Without the ability to bow to the giftedness of others, how could I bow to the presence of the giver of the gifts. The poet Seneca said, "The sins of others are before our eyes; our own are behind our backs."  I think I need to see from the eyes on the back of my head so I can make room to bow. When I bow I can be forgiven and when I am forgiven I am open to the giftedness of others which is the ultimate in art-seeing the world through all of the giftedness of others-my own included. 

Be forgiven!