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About forgiveness--a social commentary33 total reviews
Comment from patricia dillon
This is a difficult subject. How does one know if one has truly forgiven someone? Maybe your antagonists or enemy are long dead, and one will never have to look them in the eye and say, "I forgive you."
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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This is a difficult subject. How does one know if one has truly forgiven someone? Maybe your antagonists or enemy are long dead, and one will never have to look them in the eye and say, "I forgive you."
Comment Written 25-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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Thank you, Patricia, for your thoughtful review. I was addressing the issues of the living rather than the dead. I agree that it is hard to forgive those who have wronged us after they have passed away.
But the complex issue of the living is who I am referring to. I appreciate the time and effort it took to read and review my post, and I thank you very much.
Have a wonderful afternoon,
Jesse
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Thank you, Jesse. I am aware I rather went off on a tangent there.
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No worries, I often go off on tangents when I review someone too.
Have a great day,
Jesse
Comment from Gloria ....
I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head when you wrote, "one issue that appears to be brought up in some circles is who to forgive ... and who not to forgive." That definitely speaks of a reciprocal relationship, and which group one must forgive, and which group may not be so important. IMO any thing that has a moral judgement involved, is also inexorably linked with self-interest. Favouritism, and all its problems, plays out in the smallest social group--the family--to the largest--a nation.
An excellent Op-ed with much to think about, and I hope you explore this concept in great detail. :)
Gloria
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head when you wrote, "one issue that appears to be brought up in some circles is who to forgive ... and who not to forgive." That definitely speaks of a reciprocal relationship, and which group one must forgive, and which group may not be so important. IMO any thing that has a moral judgement involved, is also inexorably linked with self-interest. Favouritism, and all its problems, plays out in the smallest social group--the family--to the largest--a nation.
An excellent Op-ed with much to think about, and I hope you explore this concept in great detail. :)
Gloria
Comment Written 25-May-2021
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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Thank you, Gloria, for this very insightful review. You know I value your opinion highly and feel honored that you like this post so well. I like how you chose your favorite line, which spoke to you. You bring up an excellent point when you say that this issue plays out in the family all the way up to the nation in its complexities of choice in the matter. Favoritism, as you say, plays into the choice of who we believe deserves forgiveness and who doesn't. I will take your advice and personally explore this concept further. Thank you for your awesome review.
Have a great day,
Jesse
Comment from karenina
Riveting and important presentation here, Jesse. So much hypocrisy in society today!
Forgiveness now seems to be doled out according to political party... Everyone cries "cancel culture" rather than even making the effort to consider all sides of an issue.
When considering a situation I try very hard to ask myself: If I did not know the identity of the person or persons involved, would I be so ready to condemn? To forgive?
It makes me dive deeper into my own unrecognized bias. We all have them. Most of us don't recognize it in ourselves...
Your prose is a philosophical challenge. You dare us to be morally equitable.
Would but we all lived up to that!!!
Six stars my friend...
Karenina
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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Riveting and important presentation here, Jesse. So much hypocrisy in society today!
Forgiveness now seems to be doled out according to political party... Everyone cries "cancel culture" rather than even making the effort to consider all sides of an issue.
When considering a situation I try very hard to ask myself: If I did not know the identity of the person or persons involved, would I be so ready to condemn? To forgive?
It makes me dive deeper into my own unrecognized bias. We all have them. Most of us don't recognize it in ourselves...
Your prose is a philosophical challenge. You dare us to be morally equitable.
Would but we all lived up to that!!!
Six stars my friend...
Karenina
Comment Written 25-May-2021
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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Hello Karenina...I was looking forward to your review, you know I value it so highly, and then, when I saw the six stars rating on my screen, I was thrilled! Thank you so much! You have really made my day complete! I love your assessment of my post and the wonderful things you say about what I've written. I am glad I encouraged you to search for your unrecognized bias! This review means a lot to me, and I thank you sincerely for your opinions and encouragement.
Have a happy rest of your week, my friend!
Jesse
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You know you've hit your stride when your writing encourages us to be better people! Prose! You're soaring my friend! --Karenina
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Thanks, Karenina! I didn't know this would be like a hand in glove for me or, I would have done it sooner!
Thanks for the encouragement, my friend!
Jesse
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It's really two hands in two gloves Jesse...your poetry is always amazing too! You're just blooming where you are planted! (smile)---Karenina
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Wow! I am blushing from your high praise of my accomplishments in prose and poetry as well!
Thanks, my friend!
Jesse
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:) You deserve it!--Karenina
Comment from Wendy G
Hi Jesse, you are an astute observer of human nature, and you have made an important and relevant point. If we play favourites with forgiveness, we are setting ourselves up as a judge, deciding who is worthy and who isn't. As if we are God. Fortunately He doesn't treat us that way! You have written a piece which is both challenging and thought provoking. Thank you. Well done.
Wendy.
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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Hi Jesse, you are an astute observer of human nature, and you have made an important and relevant point. If we play favourites with forgiveness, we are setting ourselves up as a judge, deciding who is worthy and who isn't. As if we are God. Fortunately He doesn't treat us that way! You have written a piece which is both challenging and thought provoking. Thank you. Well done.
Wendy.
Comment Written 24-May-2021
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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Hello Wendy.
Thank you for your super assessment of my prose piece. You make some good points I had not thought of. Your kind comments are much appreciated! I am happy I encouraged and challenged you to think about the importance of equanimity forgiveness.
Have a wonderful rest of your week, my friend,
Jesse
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Thanks Jesse. Glad my review resonated. Hope your week is going well. I am just getting over a bout of bronchitis. Hopefully better tomorrow. Take care, my friend.
Wendy
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So far, so good...my week is going well up to this point...
I am sorry you have been sick with bronchitis...get well soon, my friend!
Jesse
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Spot-on. Brilliant title for the theme. Compelling and provocative--you nailed it--there certainly is a double standard politically and personally. Great example with the over-watering. Well done.
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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Spot-on. Brilliant title for the theme. Compelling and provocative--you nailed it--there certainly is a double standard politically and personally. Great example with the over-watering. Well done.
Comment Written 24-May-2021
reply by the author on 25-May-2021
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Thank you, Elizabeth, for this encouraging and thoughtful review. I appreciate your kind words and insightful comments very much. I am glad you liked the overwatering example of when to forgive and when not to forgive. You honor me with your review, and it is appreciated.
Have a wonderful rest of your week,
Jesse
Comment from elchupakabra
I think that your piece poses an honest question but I have the answer for you; it depends.
If you are a belligerent, hateful, unapologetic racist, than you do not beget forgiveness in my humble opinion.
I think you flippantly compared day to day interactions to a man wielding and abusing ultimate power in a way that was and is detrimental to many human beings, and I think those are not comparisons to be made lightly.
I think it is naïve to 'turn the other cheek' if the person has proven time and again they will simply spit on you again. A lack of remorse incurs a lack of forgiveness.
Great work here, thanks for sharing. Later daze.
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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I think that your piece poses an honest question but I have the answer for you; it depends.
If you are a belligerent, hateful, unapologetic racist, than you do not beget forgiveness in my humble opinion.
I think you flippantly compared day to day interactions to a man wielding and abusing ultimate power in a way that was and is detrimental to many human beings, and I think those are not comparisons to be made lightly.
I think it is naïve to 'turn the other cheek' if the person has proven time and again they will simply spit on you again. A lack of remorse incurs a lack of forgiveness.
Great work here, thanks for sharing. Later daze.
Comment Written 24-May-2021
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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Thank you for your interesting comments.
I appreciate the time and effort you made to read and review my prose piece, and I thank you. I am glad for your kind words.
Have a great evening,
Jesse
Comment from Ric Myworld
There are definitely two sides to every story. But in today's world, everyone is seeking an unfair advantage in every way possible. Sadly, there are prejudice people. And some of the most prejudice, are those who are always claiming prejudice by others. There are good and bad people in every profession, unfortunately. Systemic racism in some police forces. But conditions would be far worse without the police, as the good far outweigh the bad. The truth is: people need to stop using our few differences for manipulation or slight, and to start celebrating our many many similarities that can unite us as human beings and children of God. We all have to live here together in peace, and most of us are happy to do it! Thanks for sharing. Sorry for the novella.
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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There are definitely two sides to every story. But in today's world, everyone is seeking an unfair advantage in every way possible. Sadly, there are prejudice people. And some of the most prejudice, are those who are always claiming prejudice by others. There are good and bad people in every profession, unfortunately. Systemic racism in some police forces. But conditions would be far worse without the police, as the good far outweigh the bad. The truth is: people need to stop using our few differences for manipulation or slight, and to start celebrating our many many similarities that can unite us as human beings and children of God. We all have to live here together in peace, and most of us are happy to do it! Thanks for sharing. Sorry for the novella.
Comment Written 24-May-2021
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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I appreciate the novella, Ric. I agree with you wholeheartedly and find your comments refreshing. We definitely need to start celebrating our similarities instead of complaining about our differences!
I also agree that most of us want to live together in peace... it is the few that make it hard for the rest of us.
Thank you for sharing your insightful thoughts.
Have a wonderful evening,
Jesse
Comment from damommy
You are so right. We are choosy in our forgiveness. It's easier to forgive those we love. I think the hardest forgiveness, though, is forgiving ourselves.
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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You are so right. We are choosy in our forgiveness. It's easier to forgive those we love. I think the hardest forgiveness, though, is forgiving ourselves.
Comment Written 24-May-2021
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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Yes, Yvonne, you make an excellent point! It is hardest to forgive ourselves! Often, we let others we love off the hook, but when it comes to our weaknesses, we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.
Thank you for this insightful review and excellent rating.
Have a lovely day,
Jesse
Comment from Leann DS
I have noticed the same thing. It's almost like an endless cycle... They won't forgive our guy for his faux pas's, so we are not going to forgive their guy for having similar faux pas'. So there! Everybody acts like a child. That's my opinion about it. Everyone needs to grow the hell up.
Anyway, I noticed one part you might want to modify for grammar.
There are many other issues and examples of this in our lives, both personal and political, but by now...I think you've got the idea. Perhaps, you can come up with your own issues that you struggle with forgiveness.
- forgiveness issues with which you struggle
That's a suggestion. I hope this is helpful. Thank you for sharing this. I agree.
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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I have noticed the same thing. It's almost like an endless cycle... They won't forgive our guy for his faux pas's, so we are not going to forgive their guy for having similar faux pas'. So there! Everybody acts like a child. That's my opinion about it. Everyone needs to grow the hell up.
Anyway, I noticed one part you might want to modify for grammar.
There are many other issues and examples of this in our lives, both personal and political, but by now...I think you've got the idea. Perhaps, you can come up with your own issues that you struggle with forgiveness.
- forgiveness issues with which you struggle
That's a suggestion. I hope this is helpful. Thank you for sharing this. I agree.
Comment Written 24-May-2021
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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Thank you, Leann, for your interesting comments and your suggestion for improvement of this prose piece. I will consider it and take it under advisement.
I am glad that this resonated with you.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to read and review this post. I appreciate the excellent rating and review.
Have a good evening,
Jesse
Comment from Mike Stevens
A fine write, Jesse, and forgiveness is a tricky one; I think mood plays a large part in granting it, as do pride, vanity, and overall bastardy. I know my forgiveness is an imperfect work in progress
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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A fine write, Jesse, and forgiveness is a tricky one; I think mood plays a large part in granting it, as do pride, vanity, and overall bastardy. I know my forgiveness is an imperfect work in progress
Comment Written 24-May-2021
reply by the author on 27-May-2021
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Thank you, Mike, for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts on the subject. Yes, it depends on a lot of things including mood, and influence of the press. I think all of our work is in progress when it comes to the difficult task of forgiveness.
Thank you for the thoughtful review and excellent rating.
Have a great day, my friend,
Jesse