Forgiveness is the key to happiness

When you observe others do you tend to pass judgment? Do you judge their actions as mistakes or sins?

Sin is an idea we teach ourselves, and we can also teach ourselves to forgive. It takes some practice. If we are willing, we can learn to take the key to happiness, and use it on our own behalf. Let's try to devote ten minutes today, to learning how to forgive and receive forgiveness, too.

Some may not believe that giving and receiving are the same. Yet we will try to learn today that they are one through practicing forgiveness toward one whom we think of as an enemy, and one whom we consider a friend. And as we learn to see them both as one, the lesson will be extended to ourselves, and we will see that their release included our own.

Begin by thinking of someone you do not like, who seems to irritate you, or to cause regret in you; one you actively despise, or merely try to ignore. It does not matter what form your anger takes. You probably have chosen the person already.

Now close your eyes and see this person in your mind, and look at them a while. Try to perceive some light in them somewhere; a little gleam which you had never noticed. Try to find some little spark of brightness shining through the ugly picture that you hold of them. Look at this picture till you see a light somewhere within it, and then try to let this light extend until it covers them, and makes the picture beautiful and good. Look at this changed perception for a while.

Now, turn your mind to someone you call a friend. Try to transfer the light you learned to see around your former "enemy" to your friend. Perceive them now as more than friend to you, for in that light their holiness shows you your savior, saved and saving, healed and whole. Then let your friend offer you the light you see in him, and let your "enemy" and friend unite in blessing you with what you gave. Now are you one with them, and they with you. Now you have been forgiven by yourself.

Forgiveness is the key to happiness.
I will awaken from the dream that I am mortal,
fallible and full of sin,
and know I am the perfect Son of God.

From A Course in Miracles, Lesson 121