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| Issue #24, September 8, 2006 |
Move Ahead WITH Forgiveness
As September 11th approaches, the threat of terrorism is again headline news. In today’s world of war and weapons of mass destruction, the need for forgiveness is vital. The difficulty is being able to forgive in an environment constantly challenging our ability to rise above our desire to “get even” and harm those who’ve harmed us.
Susyn Reeve, M.Ed. and Sheri Rosenthal, DPM, have decided to take action and focus on forgiveness as a way to end personal and global conflict. They met while studying with Don Miguel Ruiz, the New York Times best-selling author of The Four Agreements. Grounded with strong spiritual backgrounds, Sheri and Susyn are using the Internet to spread the concept of forgiveness.
Their plan includes a short and moving flash video e-mailed to over one million people inviting them to participate in WITH Forgiveness by receiving 52 days of free forgiveness messages. Each e-mail is inspiring, challenging and thought provoking – encouraging the reader to practice forgiveness in his or her daily life. The broad topic areas include: forgiving yourself, your body, your family, your relationships, race, ethnicity, religion, politics, the environment and the world. The theme reiterated throughout the messages is that we, the human race, are one interconnected, interdependent whole, each an expression of the divine. All too often we have forgotten that we truly are a family of humankind.
The program culminates in a heartfelt book that will be available for the holiday season. It can be used personally, with family and friends, or as course material in a weekly format in your church, spiritual community or temple. Since Susyn and Sheri are committed to expanding the practice of forgiveness, the book is offered two for the price of one. Each reader is encouraged to pass along a copy to a friend or loved one.
Sheri says, “Most people find it very challenging to forgive when they feel the person who offended them was wrong. They know they should forgive, as most people’s religious background teaches them to do so. But just because they should doesn’t mean they will. I felt that if we could present forgiveness in a totally different way, we would be able to get people to change their minds about forgiveness and create an opening of compassion, reconciliation and love in people’s hearts and minds. That’s something we could certainly use more of right now.”
The WITH Forgiveness website (www.withforgiveness.com) is interactive, with a forgiveness forum encouraging people to discuss the challenging situations in their lives and receive assistance in their forgiveness process.
According to Susyn, “The website will serve as a focal point for a community of forgiveness. While the ideas and exercises we’re presenting are easy to understand, actually letting go of old hurts, wounds and beliefs is challenging and is aided within a community of support. In addition, we will provide an array of resources, books, films, and music as well as organizations and people to help in strengthening your forgiveness muscle. When faced with daily news of the rising and lowering of the terrorism alert, war in the Middle East, problems in the economy, our community will support a consciousness of greater peace and happiness. In the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Susyn Reeve is the author of Choose Peace and Happiness, and Sheri Rosenthal has published The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Toltec Wisdom. To participate in WITH Forgiveness go to www.withforgiveness.com.
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