I am reaffirming a vital 2012 New Year’s resolution with which I really need to succeed. As I intensely reflect on my long life, I realize that I have been extremely tough on myself and a very harsh judge of others. I have never forgiven myself for having many mistakes and failures.Consequently, I have great difficulty with forgiving others for their mistakes. Self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others are not just a keen mental process, but also a powerful and elusive spiritual endeavor.
I propose to myself for 2012 and beyond a fundamental and positive character change in myself that sheds any psychological mechanism that justifies flawed behavior because of my serious and somewhat intractable health problems. I also have come to realize that meaningful and sustained character change in myself requires me to conceptualize a new approach to understanding and using the act of self-forgiveness. I really do not know if I can do it. But I will say this; those enlightened people who already grasp the true humanity of forgiveness are truly blessed. To all of them I wish Godspeed.