Read about the author, Gary, and thought it interesting that I was
brought up in Amesbury, Massachusetts and there was a North Shore
there. Wonder if it is the same somehow. Also, Lewiston, Maine. I
used to go to Girl Scout camp up there. An overnight camp! A big
deal when I was a kid.
Gary, I hope you don't leave too quickly. I am just starting and
don't even have time to comment much yet - for a couple of days - as
I am staying home from work right now to get some hard work out of
the way, but I am sure I will have a lot of questions to ask. I am
marking spots in the book already.
Just a comment right now about the craziness of it all. I was kind
of laughing today at how different situations look after I forgive.
Of course, in some way or another, I think the other person does not
like me or wants to hurt me in some way. I build up a whole scenario
in my mind - big or little - of what I think the story is - what has
happened, how they think, etc. But the funny thing is - and I have
seen it over and over and over again - is that after I forgive I
find out that the person did not dislike me or want to hurt me.
Usually it is a simple mistake or the person was tied up in
something I did not understand and that had nothing to do with me.
When I forgive, the whole thing seems so silly and laughable even on
one level and like nothing at all. But the biggest surprise is
seeing the love and caring in the other person's eyes. In other
words I see that when I was upset, I was not even seeing anything
that was there at all. I was making it all up. It's really amazing.
I have even had chances in the last year or two to get in touch iwth
people of years ago and find out that the same thing is true. At
least on some level I am beginning to see how it is all an illusion
and how I make it up.
Linda
