Day 20- Rivalry and Respect

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WITH Forgiveness Daily Message

Day 20 - Rivalry and Respect

When you focus, not on your siblings so much, but on your own peace of mind, you'll notice that as you become more at ease with life, forgiving others - even your siblings - will be a snap!

~ Carlson ~

Many of us are familiar with the Old Testament story of the rivalry between two brothers, Cain and Abel. Cain, the older of the two, was constantly expected to help care for his younger brother, Abel. With time, Cain became annoyed and frustrated with Abel. Cain resented the expectations and responsibilities he had as an older brother. Finally Cain's anger towards Abel grew, and he murdered Abel. The concept of sibling rivalry has been part of our collective consciousness for as long as we can remember. I often wonder if the warring in the world today is an exaggerated expression of sibling rivalry.

Carlson, author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff offers this wisdom: " The secret to forgiving and respecting your siblings is to first acknowledge the trap you were all innocently put into. It was no one's fault, not yours, siblings, or your parents. It's just the way it is. By acknowledging that you and your siblings tried your best, but ended up frustrated, you open the door (wide open) to see the innocence in your siblings.

" You can begin to understand, perhaps for the first time, that they truly did the best they knew how, given what they knew at the time. When someone is seen as innocent, even if they hurt you, it's relatively easy to forgive them. To not take their words and actions or their lack of words and actions personally is the path to personal freedom. "

We may never know for sure why our siblings are our siblings, whether it was divine design or random chance. What we do know is that the human you call brother or sister, step-brother or sister, or half-sister or brother is an expression of the divine. Are you learning about unconditional love in relation to your sibling or is the rivalry expanding as the years go on? Are you a victim in this relationship, a persecutor, or do you dance between the two? Isn't it time to forgive for your own peace of mind, and to honor, respect and see the perfection of your siblings?

With all my love, Susyn

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Practicing the lesson

Identify a situation that is a source of discord between you and your sibling(s). 22

Even if you believe they have done you wrong, apologize for anyway you may have hurt them.

Forgive them for past rivalries.

Tell them you love them and appreciate the contribution they've made to your life.

Today's Affirmation

I forgive myself for comparing myself to and judging my sibling(s). I know that my sibling(s) are expressions of the divine and give me the opportunity to be respectful and expand my capacity for unconditional love.

Visit Carlson's website and sign up for his Thought of the Week: http://www.dontsweat.com/

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