Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post.
I guess I had not considered forgiveness in the way you describe it. I always thought it important to express remorse (only if sincere) to give relief to the person who was hurt by my actions. Thanks for presenting a different perspective.
As someone who has been hurt, and then asked for forgiveness by the person who hurt me, I can clearly see the point you make that the request is self-centered. I like to believe that I can and would forgive anyone for any reason, but when I sense the request for forgiveness is not to relieve my pain, but instead to relieve the guilt/pain of the person who hurt me, it leaves me feeling empty. It makes me weary of my ability to trust (that person).
I like the simplicity of your statement to those you truly love - thanking them for just being themselves. That is a far deeper emotion than an apology could evoke.
Thanks for a beautiful, thought-provoking blog entry!
Thanks for your inspirational post here, "THE GOD GIVEN COMPULSION TO WRITE." I assure you that your posts are read. As you may or may not know, the nature of the Internet and blogs in general is one of selfishness of the reader. We read and read and may find a lot of value in a post, but very few of us write the author to thank them for their post. I've been on both sides of this -- a writer and reader. So I can understand the feeling of "does anyone read this stuff?" I've found that most of the time, they will read it long after it was fresh on your mind. So, if I may, Id like to give the advice of simply writing for future readers. Even if it seems like no one is reading now, they are, and more will in the future when you've long moved on to other subjects.
I'm not one to have lengthy conversations on spirituality, other than to thank you for the message of this post -- namely taking our eyes off of God to pursue worldly desires.
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post. Hope this gets you more viewers from Google (as someone else's transcription helped me find one of your other posts through Google. -- John
Just wanted to send a note that your blog about daily prison life was extremely interesting. Even though I understand (as much as I can) that it can be repetitive and at times boring, your blog is one of the only blogs online that truly give a time-by-time account of a standard day. I was talking to a friend the other day about this subject, and that inspired me to search for information on ordinary days in prison, tips on prison life (ie surviving in prison) etc.
Your writing was very well presented and entertaining. I also think you express your thoughts on what you're going through in a similar manner that I would, which made it more interesting. I hope to see more from you on here. I will also transcribe some of your posts to help out with search engine optimization to help you get some more viewers.
I had a quick question, if you don't mind. You kinda glossed over the bit about the guy who got pissed about your elbow going over his tray. You said:
"The thought to apologize crossed my mind, but there's one thing I've learned since I've been in prison and that is whether it's an officer or an inmate, no matter how much reasoning is behind your actions or how much sincerity is behind your apology, it will never be appreciated."
...so what did you do? I'm curious about this type of scenario. As in this situation -- do you stay quiet and avoid confrontation but get labeled as weak? Or do you argue back, start a fight, all over that comment...but you get a rep for NOT being weak?
Great blog, again. Thanks for sharing that slice of your life.
HI Allan, I was glad to hear you reference Pema Chodron. Do you have access to her books? I have been listening to her lectures from "Noble Heart." She teaches to take our fears and to place them into our loving kindness.
I admire your perseverance on this difficult path you are on. Thank you for your blogs to lend insight into your experiences.
RSS
I guess I had not considered forgiveness in the way you describe it. I always thought it important to express remorse (only if sincere) to give relief to the person who was hurt by my actions. Thanks for presenting a different perspective.
As someone who has been hurt, and then asked for forgiveness by the person who hurt me, I can clearly see the point you make that the request is self-centered. I like to believe that I can and would forgive anyone for any reason, but when I sense the request for forgiveness is not to relieve my pain, but instead to relieve the guilt/pain of the person who hurt me, it leaves me feeling empty. It makes me weary of my ability to trust (that person).
I like the simplicity of your statement to those you truly love - thanking them for just being themselves. That is a far deeper emotion than an apology could evoke.
Thanks for a beautiful, thought-provoking blog entry!
I'm not one to have lengthy conversations on spirituality, other than to thank you for the message of this post -- namely taking our eyes off of God to pursue worldly desires.
Take care,
John
Just wanted to send a note that your blog about daily prison life was extremely interesting. Even though I understand (as much as I can) that it can be repetitive and at times boring, your blog is one of the only blogs online that truly give a time-by-time account of a standard day. I was talking to a friend the other day about this subject, and that inspired me to search for information on ordinary days in prison, tips on prison life (ie surviving in prison) etc.
Your writing was very well presented and entertaining. I also think you express your thoughts on what you're going through in a similar manner that I would, which made it more interesting. I hope to see more from you on here. I will also transcribe some of your posts to help out with search engine optimization to help you get some more viewers.
I had a quick question, if you don't mind. You kinda glossed over the bit about the guy who got pissed about your elbow going over his tray. You said:
"The thought to apologize crossed my mind, but there's one thing I've learned since I've been in prison and that is whether it's an officer or an inmate, no matter how much reasoning is behind your actions or how much sincerity is behind your apology, it will never be appreciated."
...so what did you do? I'm curious about this type of scenario. As in this situation -- do you stay quiet and avoid confrontation but get labeled as weak? Or do you argue back, start a fight, all over that comment...but you get a rep for NOT being weak?
Great blog, again. Thanks for sharing that slice of your life.
John
I was glad to hear you reference Pema Chodron. Do you have access to her books? I have been listening to her lectures from "Noble Heart." She teaches to take our fears and to place them into our loving kindness.
I admire your perseverance on this difficult path you are on. Thank you for your blogs to lend insight into your experiences.
Lisa
Thank you for your post, I hope you keep writing.