On Readiness, Forgiveness, and Acceptance

Someone very wise once said, on the topic of children, that if you wait to have them until you are ready, you never will.  This same wisdom can be applied to many things in life: relationships, purchasing a home, opening your own business, beginning a new career, and more.  Whether it's a case of financial, emotional, physical, or some other sort of readiness, one thing or another will always keep us from being completely prepared for the responsibilities we face in life.


Yet we place such high and terrible expectations on ourselves.  We punish and demean ourselves for failing to live up to the standards that, for many, are self-imposed.  We flounder, believing we have failed either a loved one or the Divine.  I have done this far too frequently to recount.


At first, no one ever appears worthy of what Love can make of us.


Throughout life, I have been constantly surprised by the faith and  trust that others place in me, whether it is professionally, personally, or spiritually.  Always have I fought against the idea that I could be worthy of such.  I am not perfect.  But then, none of us are.  Wisdom teaches us that it often takes time to rise up to challenges, that it takes experience to accomplish what is set forth in life.


Yet here we come across what may be one of the most intrinsic and important facets of any faith: Forgiveness.  As a form of compassion, it is one of the most powerful expressions of Love in the world.


For my own part, I am comfortable with the knowledge that I am capable of making mistakes.  I accept that as being inevitable.  Yet I feel safe in saying that regardless of any mistakes I may make, I will find forgiveness, even if I cannot always grant it to myself.  I am confident, then, in my ability to serve others, even if I do not feel I am ready to do so.


Despite my shortcomings, the people in my life honor me by placing their faith and trust in me.  Why?  Because of Love.  In my faith, then, I try to extend this understanding and forgiveness to all around me as well.  My studies of love and religion have led me to the knowledge that all of us are part of a greater whole.  I therefore strive to not just treat others as equals, but actually see them as such, despite any differences we may have.


Each of us has our own path to walk.  The path of Love is one which respects the happiness of all, but we each follow our own heart as we must, and no path is less valid than another.  Yet without that respect, without recognizing the value of Life - that divine spark which we all carry - our world will eventually destroy itself as parts of the Whole struggle for perceived dominance.


(Written March 13, 2010 - Revised December 3, 2011)