From the Depths of the Soul Part 7
The power of forgiveness—where wounds slowly turn into gifts, and the heart begins to lighten.
Spring was in full bloom, the trees were laden with new leaves, as if new hopes were sprouting within Saeed and Haya. But the seventh chapter of the book was taking them deeper into the depths where the weather had no effect.
The page was written in gold ink:
"The Power of Forgiveness: Turning Wounds into Gifts. He who forgives, is freed from captivity."
Haya took the book in her hand and said, her voice filled with deep emotion: "Saeed, my mother said that this is the chapter that hurts the most, but also frees the most."
The first exercise was: "Make a list of what not to forgive."
The book instructed: "First, acknowledge all the people and events that you could not forgive."
Saeed's list:
1. To himself: For failing to save his mother
2. To his father: For not understanding his creative potential
3. To himself: For not allowing himself to be a writer
Haya's list:
1. To his father: For leaving home
2. To his mother: For always forcing him to be strong
3. To himself: For suppressing his emotions
4. To Saeed: For loving her so much that he was afraid of her leaving.
The second step was: "Write the degree of pain next to each name."
Saeed realized that he had hurt himself the most. "I have hurt myself the most."
Haya looked at her list and said: "I don't hurt my father more, but I have made this pain the center of my life."
Activity Three: "Forgiveness Practice: Write a letter but don't send it."
The book explained: "Forgiveness means: 'I don't want to keep your wound inside me anymore.'"
Saeed wrote a letter to himself:
"Dear Saeed!
I forgive you. I forgive you for not being able to save your mother. You were just a child. I forgive you for not considering yourself a writer. You did your best.
From today, I love you, with all your weaknesses, with all your flaws."
Haya wrote to her father:
"Dad,
I forgive you. I forgive you for leaving me. I understand that you had your own fight. I don't want to keep your pain inside me anymore.
I am free. You are free too."
The fourth activity was the most difficult: "The ritual of forgiveness."
The book said: "Give forgiveness a physical form, do an action that symbolizes your freedom."
Saeed decided to visit his mother's grave. For the first time in years. Haya was with him.
In the cemetery, Saeed stood in front of his mother's grave. There was silence in the air. He said: "Mom, I forgive you for leaving me. I understand that you didn't want to. I love you."
And then, something strange happened. A gust of wind stirred the leaves of the tree and Saeed felt as if his mother had replied: "Son, I forgive you for not saving me. You did your duty as a good son.”
Haya performed her ritual at home. She took out an old photo of her father, and lit a candle in front of it. “Father, I forgive you. My life is complete without you. I pray for you.”
A week later, an unexpected event changed everything.
When Saeed’s father got better, he invited Saeed to his house. In the room, Professor Ahmed opened an old cupboard.
“These are your mother’s things,” he said. “I will give them to you when you grow up.”
There were three things in the cupboard.
1. An old diary
2. A pen
3. A letter
Saeed opened the letter. The last thing his mother had written was:
“My dear son,
If you are reading this letter, I am not with you. But know that I am always with you.
If you felt responsible for my departure, I forgive you. You were not responsible.
And one more thing: forgive your father. He loves you, only in his own way.
Your mother"
Saeed cried. Years of grief, anger, and pain flowed from his tears. His father hugged him. For the first time.
"Forgiveness brought us together," Saeed told Haya, "I understood: forgiveness is actually the name of making yourself lighter."
The last page of the book opened. On it was written:
"Congratulations! You have done the hardest thing. You have forgiven. Now you are truly free."
"Remember: to forgive is to forget. And that too without pain."
Below was the announcement of the next chapter:
The next chapter is titled: "Rebirth: Building a New Life."
Haya looked at Saeed, her eyes shining. "We have both changed."
Saeed replied: "Yes. And now we can build a new life."
That same night Saeed wrote on his blog:
"Forgiveness doesn't mean that what happened was right. Forgiveness means that you don't want to keep it with you anymore. It is a gift you give yourself.
I learned: Until you forgive, you are a prisoner of the past. Forgive, and be free."
🌱 Today's Practice
Saeed and Haya wrote letters they never sent — to forgive themselves and their parents.
Your turn: On a piece of paper, complete this sentence: "I forgive myself for..." If there's someone else you wish to forgive, write them a short letter too — one you don't have to send.
(End of Chapter 7)
In the next chapter: Saeed and Haya will learn how to rebuild their lives, and how past experiences can become the strength of the future.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment
"We love hearing from you! Please keep comments respectful and on-topic. 😊"