Follow The String
We are responsible for our own happiness41 total reviews
Comment from nomi338
Beautiful. You know, the Bible requires all believers to be forgiving. Saul of Tarsus caused the death of many Christians, but because he was willing to accept Jesus' forgiveness, he became one of the foremost Christians recorded in the Bible. He remained for the rest of his mortal life, sorry for the things he had done, but he did not allow his guilt to freeze him in place. He made up for things by preaching and teaching the benefits of being a Christian for the rest of his earthly life. A good role model to follow, I think.
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Beautiful. You know, the Bible requires all believers to be forgiving. Saul of Tarsus caused the death of many Christians, but because he was willing to accept Jesus' forgiveness, he became one of the foremost Christians recorded in the Bible. He remained for the rest of his mortal life, sorry for the things he had done, but he did not allow his guilt to freeze him in place. He made up for things by preaching and teaching the benefits of being a Christian for the rest of his earthly life. A good role model to follow, I think.
Comment Written 25-May-2022
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Indeed a good role model to follow -- provided we begin at the part where Saul became Paul. lol. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. ann
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Did I fail to include that important point? Oh my.
Comment from Sally Law
Thank you for sharing your powerful story and personal insight. Forgiveness is key to moving on in every area of life. Forgiveness is godly and goodly, and is the start of healing. I have had terrible things happen to me and I have chosen to forgive and move on. As a Christian, it is the way of Christ.
Sending you my best today and blessings always,
Sally XOs
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Thank you for sharing your powerful story and personal insight. Forgiveness is key to moving on in every area of life. Forgiveness is godly and goodly, and is the start of healing. I have had terrible things happen to me and I have chosen to forgive and move on. As a Christian, it is the way of Christ.
Sending you my best today and blessings always,
Sally XOs
Comment Written 25-May-2022
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Sally, I have no idea what terrible things happened to you, but I care and I wish you much joy. You sound like a very strong person with a focus on forging, healing and growing. Good luck -- I know yo will succeed. Thanks for sharing. ann
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Your philosophical feelings have come up with some very wise suggestions for how to live a good life. This is well written and good enough to sell to a publication that is interested in life advice.
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Your philosophical feelings have come up with some very wise suggestions for how to live a good life. This is well written and good enough to sell to a publication that is interested in life advice.
Comment Written 24-May-2022
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Thanks so much for the marvelous, shiny and encouraging stars! I m honored and humbled by them. I actually may submit this essay to Creative Non-fiction the next time they have a call for such. I really appreciate your time and your words ann
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This is an excellent thought-provoking essay on forgiveness and how it can set you free!
A profound work with values we can all learn from. I like your example of the prisoner who is up for parole and the victim who cannot forgive him. We all face challenges such as these in our lives.
Your mother was wise when she told you to follow the string. And when she said that we are responsible for our own happiness.
I try to follow these golden rules daily in my life.
Thanks for sharing your philosophy on life!
Jesse
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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This is an excellent thought-provoking essay on forgiveness and how it can set you free!
A profound work with values we can all learn from. I like your example of the prisoner who is up for parole and the victim who cannot forgive him. We all face challenges such as these in our lives.
Your mother was wise when she told you to follow the string. And when she said that we are responsible for our own happiness.
I try to follow these golden rules daily in my life.
Thanks for sharing your philosophy on life!
Jesse
Comment Written 24-May-2022
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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Thanks so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate your time and your words. ann
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
I love this story; you've shared a piece of your life/philosophy that so many of us can also benefit from. Your story of the rapist and his victim is such a good example and argument for your "string theory" - you mention that the victim is more imprisoned than the rapist. I agree with you that she did not choose to be raped, but has chosen to be imprisoned by that moment in her life. I also like your belief that when we are in a moment, everything else is future and past. We should all start with that.
This is a great read. One minor suggestion: in the 3rd paragraph you might want to change "creating" to "create" - it would work better with your list of goals.
Best wishes!
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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I love this story; you've shared a piece of your life/philosophy that so many of us can also benefit from. Your story of the rapist and his victim is such a good example and argument for your "string theory" - you mention that the victim is more imprisoned than the rapist. I agree with you that she did not choose to be raped, but has chosen to be imprisoned by that moment in her life. I also like your belief that when we are in a moment, everything else is future and past. We should all start with that.
This is a great read. One minor suggestion: in the 3rd paragraph you might want to change "creating" to "create" - it would work better with your list of goals.
Best wishes!
Comment Written 24-May-2022
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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Thank you, Pam, for those encouraging and special stars. I appreciate every word you said and assure you the 3rd paragraph wording will be corrected. ann
Comment from Bridge
A very powerful and profound story. Very well written. It is very difficult to implement but we should all strive for it. Thanks for sharing.
With regards
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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A very powerful and profound story. Very well written. It is very difficult to implement but we should all strive for it. Thanks for sharing.
With regards
Comment Written 24-May-2022
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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I appreciate your time in reading and in commenting. Thanks. ann
Comment from GARY MACLEAN
I like that concept of looking at life as no more than an instant because every other thing is either future or past. If we could all master that approach I believe we could have a more peaceful world.
Just a couple of observations.
2nd Para, 6th sentence: remove one space between "words," and "but"
2nd Para, 10th sentence: remove one space between
place." and "and"
4th Para, 3rd sentence: remove one space between "show." and "it"
4th Para, 5th sentence: add comma between "raped" and "and"
6th Para, 3rd sentence: add dashes (-) between "one" and "year" and "old"
14th Para, 5th sentence: add comma between "persons" and "and"
Convention would have us use one space after a period. You have used two spaces, which is what it used to be. You might consider changing that, or not.
Excellent vows. I'll keep that list in my mind.
Very nice
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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I like that concept of looking at life as no more than an instant because every other thing is either future or past. If we could all master that approach I believe we could have a more peaceful world.
Just a couple of observations.
2nd Para, 6th sentence: remove one space between "words," and "but"
2nd Para, 10th sentence: remove one space between
place." and "and"
4th Para, 3rd sentence: remove one space between "show." and "it"
4th Para, 5th sentence: add comma between "raped" and "and"
6th Para, 3rd sentence: add dashes (-) between "one" and "year" and "old"
14th Para, 5th sentence: add comma between "persons" and "and"
Convention would have us use one space after a period. You have used two spaces, which is what it used to be. You might consider changing that, or not.
Excellent vows. I'll keep that list in my mind.
Very nice
Comment Written 24-May-2022
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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Thank you so much for reading and for your very detailed spag review. I will make those changes. I appreciate your encouraging review. ann
Comment from dmt1967
This is a good attitude to have and I agree with you on everything. I have this life rule. As long as I can look myself in the mirror, I am fine. The day I can't is the day I must change. Thank you for sharing and have a great week.
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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This is a good attitude to have and I agree with you on everything. I have this life rule. As long as I can look myself in the mirror, I am fine. The day I can't is the day I must change. Thank you for sharing and have a great week.
Comment Written 24-May-2022
reply by the author on 24-May-2022
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Thanks so much for reading and for commenting. I appreciate your sharing your own thoughts and your time. ann
Comment from Allezw2
Lady AnnMuma,
Thank you for this reasoned essay on crime, punishment and the concept of reasoned forgiveness.
Refresh your memory of the iconic "Thousand Yard Stare."
You write feelingly about the role of acceptance of wrong and forgiveness.
However, you have skated right over those who have been so traumatized that they are clinically insane.
Survivors are never whole.
Some of these are warped beyond human ability to reason.
Others cope to a degree.
Visit any VA hospital as a volunteer to find a true picture of the limits of human compassion to allay the ingrained fears engendered by traumatic experiences.
Sadists have the tools to create a lasting insanity that only a god could reach.
Those victims live in their cell of horror beyond surcease until their eternal rest.
What punishment in this life is sufficient to recompense society and those so harmed for such a violation of one's humanity?
I well remember a question I was asked at my Confirmation.
"You broke a man's window by accident and you went to him and apologized. He said that he forgave you. Then what would you do?"
"Pay him to replace the window, Father!"
For every sin, there is a need for penance.
Your question needs to address the who and how that can determine the course and scope of such a penance.
Fantasist
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Lady AnnMuma,
Thank you for this reasoned essay on crime, punishment and the concept of reasoned forgiveness.
Refresh your memory of the iconic "Thousand Yard Stare."
You write feelingly about the role of acceptance of wrong and forgiveness.
However, you have skated right over those who have been so traumatized that they are clinically insane.
Survivors are never whole.
Some of these are warped beyond human ability to reason.
Others cope to a degree.
Visit any VA hospital as a volunteer to find a true picture of the limits of human compassion to allay the ingrained fears engendered by traumatic experiences.
Sadists have the tools to create a lasting insanity that only a god could reach.
Those victims live in their cell of horror beyond surcease until their eternal rest.
What punishment in this life is sufficient to recompense society and those so harmed for such a violation of one's humanity?
I well remember a question I was asked at my Confirmation.
"You broke a man's window by accident and you went to him and apologized. He said that he forgave you. Then what would you do?"
"Pay him to replace the window, Father!"
For every sin, there is a need for penance.
Your question needs to address the who and how that can determine the course and scope of such a penance.
Fantasist
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
Thank you for a lot to think about .... and think about it, I will. I appreciate the comments and the time you invested in making them. I am grateful. ann
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
This is a powerful essay. It is filled with poignant lines such as...She was more tightly imprisoned than the rapist. That's a line that says more than what is written. Your essay is also chocked with great advice...such as judge no one solely by the worst thing they have ever done, nor get lost in seeing only the best thing they've accomplished. I will follow the string and grow where I am planted This is sage advice. A well-written and timely essay for me. May 26th is the unhappy anniversary of my daughter's death. She was my only child. If you go to my profile, you will find in my portfolio the narrative poem I wrote about her death. Your essay blessed me today.
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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This is a powerful essay. It is filled with poignant lines such as...She was more tightly imprisoned than the rapist. That's a line that says more than what is written. Your essay is also chocked with great advice...such as judge no one solely by the worst thing they have ever done, nor get lost in seeing only the best thing they've accomplished. I will follow the string and grow where I am planted This is sage advice. A well-written and timely essay for me. May 26th is the unhappy anniversary of my daughter's death. She was my only child. If you go to my profile, you will find in my portfolio the narrative poem I wrote about her death. Your essay blessed me today.
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Sandra, I attempted to leave a note on your portfolio, but I'm afraid I just created a mess!!! Hope you can figure out how to delete the repeat comments and I apologize for my ineptness! I appreciate your time and your comments. ann
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I figured it out. No problem. Thank you!
