May I begin by quoting Alexander Pope "to err is human to forgive divine." The understanding that all fall short of a given standard and that removing the standard is more than just an act of will, but an intentional act of the spirit. The mind being unable to stop a thought from occuring must be able then with practice and discipline to capture thoughts of offense and immediately dismiss them with forgiveness. The process that was explained so well in the Holy Bible "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." --Matthew 1:21, 22. The freedom which is sought lies in the willingness to forgive until the thought captured returns to love for all humankind. Freedom from anger, anxiety, depression, and the like depend greatly on the willingness to forgive. The decision to carry yesterday's offenses into today's affairs is dependent solely on ego. The attempt at forgiveness and the willingness to continue the attempts are all that are required.

Robert Browning is quoted as saying "Good, to forgive; Best, to forget." Yet how do we forget? The process begins again in the forgetting. The main ingredient of which would be introspection. Answering questions honestly to oneself.

• If given the same circumstances would I have acted differently?
• What lesson can I learn about myself, my past, and my future behavior from this?
• Am I willing to be at peace with myself and so with my offender?
• If I hold on to this thought, this resentment how then will it affect my relationships of the present and the future?

• Knowing that I need not like the offense nor wish to place myself in such a position again can I be at peace with myself when this thought no longer troubles my mind or do I wish to continue to create chaos in my life by pondering upon it?

"Forgotten is forgiven." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Affirming the freedom of forgiveness.

• Today I will walk in the spirit of forgiveness all of the past was meant to bring me here, and here I carry no burdens.
• I forgive the transgressions of others one and all and I am grateful that they have made me a more beautiful being.
• Today I connect with the Spirit of all creation leaving all past matters in His care.
• I give thanks for the freedom from the bondage of resentment. I am whole again by releasing my captors from their obligations
• At this moment I lay ego to the side for the higher callings of love.