Loving Dad When I was much younger, I idolized my dad. He seemed to always have time for me and when I was scared he would help me through it. Like thunderstorms; he taught me to count between the lightning and the thunder to figure out how far away the storm was. Dads have the energy and strength to be able to do anything. They always seem so smart! It wasn’t until I was in high school that I began to see that my dad was human and had some flaws. My parents split up two days before my high school graduation. To this day, I have no recollection of that day and the ceremony. Dad was not there. It was best for my sisters and I that our parents ultimately divorced. My childhood was not a happy time and left me with many wounds to heal. Over the years I have been able to see that we are all imperfect
by Sharon Rosenblum
in some or many ways. We are only human after all! It has taken me a long time to forgive my dad for his actions during my childhood. Its been a long journey that came to a close last year when he passed. I learned a lot from him and will always have those lessons to guide me on my path.
Perhaps you had a friend who betrayed you, a boyfriend or husband who cheated on you, or a parent who did not keep you safe or provide for you. If you keep carrying that anger and resentment around with you, then you will not be able to feel the love all around you.
Love and forgiveness know no boundaries in my heart. I loved my dad regardless of his human failings. Likewise, I love all of humanity regardless of where they are on their path and how they treat each other. We all have lessons to learn and a big part of that is forgiveness. To forgive is to let go of the emotions attached to an event or the actions of another.
It takes a lot of effort and work to release that anger. You have to let love win and be the stronger guiding force in your life. You can start healing and letting go of the anger and resentment by spending time out in nature.
It doesn’t erase the event, nor does it make the behavior or actions acceptable. Our heart needs to be in a place of balance and peace. If we hold onto grudges or anger towards another, we cannot heal that piece and move on to the next level. We remain stuck.
We have had a lot of “free” time these last few months due to the Coronavirus. A perfect opportunity to explore nature and be still – looking within ourselves. If we truly stop and listen to all that is around us, we can see how alive this world is. Listening to the birds, the wind as it blows through the trees, as well as the quiet that has been so abundant of late; this is what will help us to heal those bruises inside. Once we take the time to quiet our mind and be one with nature all around us, we begin to see, feel, and hear from our heart what is truly important and what really needs to be done. It’s not about how many Zoom classes you can take. Rather it is about who you are and why you are here. Do you know the answer to that question? I encourage you to make time for you, now. It’s time.
Star Nations Magazine • June 2020 • 14
Credit: Robert Eklund Unsplash.com | Cake Photo: Sharon Rosenblum
Nourishing Body & Soul
