The Value of Forgiving Yourself

Our Community Service Project

Our Bikes 4 Kids community service project is getting free helmets compliments of the Fayette County Cultural Trust McGruff Program. Officer McGruff will be giving a free helmet to each kid that receives a bike. Our first giveaway was last year in June when we gave away 25 bikes. This year we will have more than 25.

I've scheduled two bike repair days..Saturday, April 23rd and the 30th from 11:00 am-3:00 pm at the old firehall on Arch street..2-3 blocks off of Crawford Ave. in Connellsville and almost across the street from the post office. The firehall is not cleaned, just used for storage so wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers . Bring something to drink and any tools you may have.

I will also need help for May 21st, giveaway day..it will busy and I'd like to be as organized as possible as there are release forms for each family to sign before they are allowed to take a bike. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP OUT..EVEN IF JUST FOR AN HOUR. There will be photographers and reporters there.

You have probably already noticed that life is not always easy. Well, it's really meant to be that way because its our pains, frustrations, losses, lack of comfort that causes us the most growth. All those people and life situations that appear to give us a hard time are meant to be there for a reason. Those that have caused you the most pain are often our greatest teachers.

We have all done things that we look at in retrospect and say, "I can't believe I ever did that!" We have made choices that were not good for us, believed people that lied to us, lied to people, said "yes" when we wanted to say "No" and said "No" when we wanted to say "Yes".
We've hurt people knowingly or unknowingly and we've hurt ourselves as well. We've counted on people that weren't there for us and dissed people we didn't particularly like.

We hold onto our pain like a badge of courage in spite of that fact that holding on keeps us from moving forward in our lives. The choices we have made have affected our self esteem ,self confidence and at times we just don't like ourselves.

So how do we move forward in our life holding on to such baggage? We heal and let go by forgiving ourselves. Forgiveness is hard. Admitting that there is a problem, and then conducting a solution takes time, patience, and bravery. When we have to forgive ourselves for our actions, this process can be even more difficult. The path to forgiveness is not an easy one. By practicing self-awareness and understanding that life is a journey and not a sprint, you too can learn to forgive yourself.

This Sunday I will share five methods of self-forgiveness and then we will do a self-forgiveness meditation. This promises to be an awesome, healing service. Know that all are welcome at a Unity service no matter what your faith or no faith at all. We do have child care during the service so be sure to bring your little ones knowing that while you are at the service Katie is keeping them safe and entertained!