How Heavy Is Your Bag?

--by warmth, posted Jun 7, 2008

One of my teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. For every person we’d refuse to forgive in our life, we were told to choose a potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of our bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.

We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere for one week, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to our desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear what a weight we were carrying spiritually, and how we had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.

Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!

Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and while that’s true, it clearly is also a gift for ourselves!

So the next time you decide you can’t forgive someone, ask yourself… Isn’t MY bag heavy enough?

- from www.pravsworld.com

14.4K Reads

Posted by warmth
Jun 7, 2008
Comments (29)

Readers Comments

butterfly wrote: i liked the part about forgiving is a gift for ourselves, very wise!

perseverance wrote: I have read this piece,but to to be reminded.Thanks

nila wrote: Its true that forgiving others heals us spiritually and gives peace. Thanks for the message.

JuneBug wrote: WOW! I LOVE THIS!!!! How true! Thanks for sharing it!!! :}

totemblaze wrote: Great Story
What a wonderful metaphor
Thanks

happyness15 wrote: that is such a great story. I've been having one of "those" days and this really made me realize how petty my frustraitions are today. Thank you for that!

brighteyes wrote: This is great advise....forgiveness lightens EVERYONE'S load so does non-judgement....great new years resolution...sure cleans the slate to start 2008.

meera wrote: Great Story.

cinnamonhead wrote: This story is a great lesson and I will share it with my religion class, thanks so much for sharing.

moington wrote: I love this. What a great way to teach forgivness.

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