Giving Forgiveness, Finding Empathy

Forgiveness is tricky. It’s very difficult to get from a place of anger and resentment to forgiveness. The best way I know how to forgive is to try to find empathy for the respective person or people–attempting to put myself in their shoes and see the world from their point-of-view. This is, of course, a process and it takes time, patience and fortitude (and the amount of time is commensurate with the level of resentment), but it’s usually worked for me.

Recently, I wrote a post about When You Can’t Give Stuff, which was about a situation I’ve been dealing with for a few weeks–although it feels like longer. I talked very generally about hoarding, some signs to look for and some resources for help, but–as all things on this blog are–it was clearly something I’ve been dealing with as an impacted family member and so I’ve felt pretty angry about this. This feels justifiable and understandable, but no matter, the physical, mental and emotional toll doesn’t care who is right, and I’ve come to understand that justifiable anger doesn’t do well for me. No anger does. I wanted to move forward.

In this situation, it’s been hard to try to put myself in or see the world from shoes other than my own. I wanted to, but it wasn’t happening. And then over this last weekend, a thought came into my head–almost like when I have an idea for work or for this blog–but it felt more like a stanza than a sentence. I am not a poet, never have been, but this writing exercise was the only way I’ve been able to gain perspective and, ultimately, some empathy. So I went with it.

I’ve also learned empathy, forgiveness and the like doesn’t always mean restoring what once was. Sometimes you can’t go back there, and perhaps you shouldn’t. But that doesn’t preclude pardon.

A willingness to forgive is a gift to give oneself first, the other party can also be the beneficiary, but seeking to be free of resentment has always had an immediate impact me. It’s freedom. This was what I wrote, to see the world from the other side.

What I Can See

Need to fill this hole inside
What will fit, what can I try?

To sate the ache that builds and grows
No shape, no form seems to close

This chasm… No, this abyss
No meal, no item, no love, no bliss

I’ve tried… And I’ve packed this place
With boxes and bags once promise now waste

I want to be free, I want to be whole
To fill the gap that maybe once was closed

I’m scared, I’m confused, I don’t know where to start
Somewhere in here is a broken heart

Grief demands an answer, pain needs relief
No matter who gets hurt, despite your disbelief

Find me in this mountain of stuff
In these walls I built to fill me up

Help separate what is rubble from what matters
And if you can, convince me I am in the latter

I will protest, scream, scratch, claw and fight
If I have to give it all up, will it ever be alright?