FORGIVENESS
It's hard to miss the news these days. Even I (who avoids the media at all costs) could not fail to see the tragedy at Virginia Tech. My first reaction is to tune into what it must be like for the people that lost their loved ones. My heart goes out to them.

My next thought however turns to the tormented man that did this. The man that thought that this was his only available course of action. Even in my darkest moments in life, I can't imagine carrying out an act like this. My heart goes out to him because his life was "that bad". Worse that my worst day a million times over. I know how bad I feel sometimes when I see my life through my darkest moments. How bad must this man have been suffering? I cannot imagine his pain. My heart goes out to him.

And thus begins my process of forgiveness. To forgive him is to free myself. This man has highlighted a huge issue in our culture. An issue of separation. His was an extreme case. No doubt, he felt isolated; cut off from the rest of humanity; ALONE. I, too have felt this isolation. I, too have felt alone. And yet, not nearly as bad as he did. It must have been awful to feel so alone. I also realize that I have been the cause of others feeling isolated and alone. I have turned away from opportunities to create love, harmony and community. And this is what I forgive. I forgive myself for not being the loving, nurturing, caring person that I know I am. I forgive myself for getting lost in the "busy-ness" of life at the cost of staying connected to other people. The process of forgiveness begins with myself. This tragedy can serve as a great lesson and opportunity for all of us to remember what is really important and that we are all connected and deserving of love and inclusion. If you want love, you have to give it away. That's how it works.