Forgive and Forget Not

     So this is something that troubles me.  Greatly.  I understand that forgiveness is good for the body, mind and soul.  And I can wrap my head around forgiving someone, because we're all human and make mistakes.  Sometimes people are hurt unintentionally.  I get it.  I seem to be able to forgive a mistake better than I can forgive a choice that was made with full knowledge and intention to harm another person's body, mind or soul.  I've thought about it and thought about it and thought about it.  I've forgiven and forgiven and forgiven but honestly, it gets tiresome when there is no change.  Oh, I'm at peace with the definitions of forgiveness, and the reasons to do it, I'm just not at peace with how reasonable expectations are about forgiveness.  So, if it's a person's nature to be abusive, or thoughtless, or self-centered, or judgmental, or any number of negative traits, how do you hold them accountable? If he or she is being who he or she is, does he or she need to be forgiven or rather do you need to forgive?  And yes, I really want to be forgiven when I screw up, even if I don't know I screwed up.  I know I hold grudges.  I will take a lot but if I'm pushed too far, beware!  And what about the difference in forgiving someone you care for versus someone you dislike? It can make a difference.  There are people that I haven't forgiven for things that happened many years ago and some people I haven't forgiven for what happened yesterday.   Oh, and let me tell you this, if someone hurts me and he/she knows it and never says "I'm sorry."  Oh, that forgiveness is packed up in a box and shelved like a time capsule.  Don't even get me started on the forgive and forget debate.  Ugh.  Now, if you're wondering who spit in my Wheaties to make me take this train of thought, no worries.  It's one of those life questions that I wrestle with from time to time, like today.  So I'm open to your thoughts and comments.  I'm probably looking for an easy answer to a most difficult question, so I'll understand if you say, "Carol, just let it go."  And I'll let it go..... for now......

Loose Ends

     Good Morning!  Happy New Year!  It's one of those loose ends days, you know, those days when you don't have a plan or schedule.  The weather is cold and dreary and the couch is calling.  There are a million things that "need" to be done but nothing stimulates much energy.  I know my younger readers wish they had days like this, but  my more mature readers know exactly the kind of day I'm talking about today.  It really is a mind over matter situation.  I think that after years in the classroom, my brain (and body) have been trained to jump into the day full of action and then crash later.  So the idea that I could actually watch TV or read a book in the morning is not easily grasped.  And maybe that is the problem, I find myself needing to be productive in the morning but not motivated to clean bathrooms or organize a closet.  Ah yes, there's the always available morning exercise.  It's on the list for later today when the temperature warms a bit.  Sometimes, I label days like this as "vacation" days and give in to the lack of visible productivity.  Some days I label "rest and research" days and spend the day reading up on some of my favorite topics.  Some days, I throw on a coat and ramble through my favorite thrift stores.  Usually, I can turn the day around and get something done after a slow and unfocused start.
     So, I'm wondering when and if you have a "lazy day", what do you do?  How do you make peace with not being busy?  If you don't have the opportunity for a "lazy day", what would you do if you had one?  Me, I've got a plan now, so I'll be ok.  Thanks for listening!