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I pray I am never the type of person who keeps a score card on relationships, or one who keeps pulling that card out every time something doesn't happen the way I expect it to. When I forgive someone, I do my best to TRULY forgive them and move ON, and not keep pulling out those old cards when it suits the circumstances. I have always accepted my mistakes and apologized for them, but somewhere along the way I started accepting the blame for EVERYthing, even things beyond my control. I am no longer doing that, or carrying around the guilt that I've been piling up for things I didn't have control over, or things I did my best at and came up short on. Love is not about second chances, or who did more things wrong, or who kept the best score card, it's about understanding, communication, patience, empathy, and forgiveness. I can say honestly that I have truly forgiven those who have asked for it and moved on, and I haven't kept stacking those mistakes up to rub their nose in at every difficulty. All you can do is apologize when mistakes ARE your responsibility, and try your hardest to change the behavior that hurt others in the past, and learn from those things. If people don't understand or forgive you when they SAY they do, then you're never going to shed that old shell in their eyes, and you're never going to win or get beyond it. What's important is to use the past to learn to be a better person, and shed that old mistake-riddled shell for a new one ... if others can't SEE it, that's not your responsibility. Love them, forgive them, move on, and pray that they will truly see the changes, and will eventually let go of those things they said they forgave you for.

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Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 9/22/2017 2:32:00 PM

I commend you Greg, this is giving of yourself without a stitch of poetic slight of hands to obscure, and you are heard. I can think of a few I would love to have read this. Thank you so much dear. I think forgiving of the self applies here too. xomo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/24/2017 6:25:00 PM

You are so very kind to me, Maureen, and I thank you SO much for that and for allowing me my mistakes and weaknesses ... if we stop learning we stop living, and much of that knowledge comes from making mistakes ... wisdom can be painful, but there is ALWAYS a lesson to learn, whatever the situation ... as long as we stay open to it.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/24/2017 6:25:00 PM

Blessings to you my good friend - I am thankful for your kindness, friendship and integrity! :-) <3

Vijay Pandit

Date: 9/22/2017 7:59:00 AM

So many life lessons in this wonderful poem--such a well written inspiration to many!!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/24/2017 6:20:00 PM

Thank you so very kindly, Vijay - as I was saying to Russell, NONE of us ever learn it all, and I try each day to face the world as a child, open to learning and growth ... I am constantly making mistakes and poor decisions, and I PRAY always learning from them. Blessings, my friend! :-)

Russell Sivey

Date: 9/22/2017 4:07:00 AM

This is such a heartfelt and truthful write my friend! I am in awe of its splendor and its powerful words! I surely enjoyed reading this tremendous poem this morning! What a delightful read this one truly is! Great Work!!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/24/2017 6:18:00 PM

The grand thing about this journey "Life", is that we never stop learning, (and hopefully never stop growing), and while I have traveled many miles and been through much, I still have SO much to learn, and so many ways to grow. I think the greatest wisdom one can learn is that the acquisition of wisdom itself NEVER ends, and NONE of us ever learn it all. We must be open to change and growth, for love's sake. Thank you so much, Dear Friend!

Carole Duet

Date: 9/21/2017 11:18:00 PM

A wonderful philosophy, Greg. I'm the same way but it seems like some people delight in the grudges they hold. But, on the other hand, I myself find it hard to forgive someone if they never even bother to apologize.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/21/2017 11:23:00 PM

You're so right, my friend, and it is VERY hard to forgive sometimes, especially when the other person isn't expecting or even aware of your forgiveness. But NOT forgiving only hurts US inside, and I've let it eat away at my spirit for far too long. Grace is an extremely powerful thing, however, and so many miracles have been worked by it. Thank you so much for your kind words, Carol - blessings! <3 :-)