This
post, unlike what I told you I was planning to write on Sunday night,
is NOT random. It happened in the last two days and it's huge. I've
been wanting to write about “Red Balloon Day” for a long time,
THAT idea is in my jotbook, but to actually celebrate THE most needed
red balloon of my life, is even bigger. I'm thinking you need some
context.
about
a lonely little boy who is followed around the city by a red balloon.
It becomes his friend, they have adventures, and in the glorious end
to the movie, I see a lot of symbolism.
More
context: Back in the late 80s before the was the internet everywhere,
there were some ways to connect online, so friends of mine and I
participated in a forum abbreviated RATS. Rec.arts.tv.soaps. We all
watched “As the World Turns.” In fact, I watched ATWT for 17
years but have since reformed...not that it was easy. It was like
leaving a blogging community ~ friends made online that I never would
have met before and we didn't just discuss the show because c'mon, it
was a SOAP, but we got way into real life, too.
So
speaking of real life. There was a a participant who was going
through some tough times, and we were all encouraging him to forgive
and just let it go. I suggested calling it, “Red Balloon Day”
and he actually knew what movie I was talking about so we declared a
day, and we all “let our balloons” ceremoniously into the air,
letting go of past hurts, bad relationships, bad habits, you name
it. We had quite the celebration and bonding encouraging each other
over this.
I've
known for quite a while that there was a grudge, a non-forgiveness
I'd been holding onto for a long time. 3 years. But you might have
noticed I'm a bit stubborn, and no amount of good Christian friends
preaching forgiveness was going to deter me from my grudge. I'm not
usually like that – stubborn yes, unforgiving, no.
Then
a dear friend posted the parable of the unforgiving servant (found in Matthew 18:35) on her fb page...and stirred my thoughts.
You
might recall it's Matthew I'm teaching on Thursdays this year...so
it's yesterday morning that I come to that passage...and it clicks.
Forgive. FORGIVE. We have been forgiven much, forgive others. And
bawling my eyes out, I sent my balloon, with the company name, and
the name of my former boss, up into the air for my own unexpected Red
Balloon Day. It feels good.
~
Tina
P.S
For the full story of why this was necessary, you could read
“Abrupt U-Turn”
13 comments:
When we forgive others, we set ourselves free. Glad you let your balloon go!
Good for you for letting it go!
Hi Tina,
And with the floating up of the red balloon, you felt a release, a freedom. I cheer you on.
In peace and hope,
Gary
smiles...i have seen the film i believe...and i like the analogy you make of it as well...and how you relate it to matthew....
we have done a few balloon ceremonies to symbolize releasing things....
Hi Tina .. what a fascinating read - and now I'm so pleased for you ... it's funny as we go through life we learn so much ... and that difficulty has now gone forever ...
I'll remember the red balloon ... with thoughts - cheers Hilary
movie inspiring and influencing life. hmm... good topic. and the symbolism is fantastic.
I have not typically been a person to hold a grudge, but I learned a number of useful tools several years back in the chairs at Al-Anon meetings. I think the most helpful way to think of it is 'resentment is a poison, self administered'. Because it never hurts the person you aren't forgiving as much as it hurts you. My favorite tactic was writing it (being a writer) and then burning it.
I really like the idea of Red Ballon Day - I might even steal it :)
Red balloon day is a great idea! I might try it myself ;)
Hart said it best. Holding on to wrongs is poison, and it only poisons us. It's wonderful you found the strength to let go.
Good post and outlook. Hello fellow A to Zer. I just wanted to drop by and say hi. I'm now following and I look forward to reading more from you.
Sylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
I need to let some balloons go. It definitely hurts me more than the other person to rethink things and get angry, plus I need to forgive.
Forgiveness. One of my favorite topics. You think you are hurting someone else by not forgiving. That is the Biggest Lie We Tell Ourselves. Or at least one of them. Not forgiving is like drinking poison every day that is meant for someone else... and clinging to the belief that we are saving that poison for the other person because they deserve it. The irony is that we don't even know we are drinking it.
Or looking at it through another lens. We can hate someone for a wrong done to us (consciously or not), but that hurts THEM not at all. They walk around completely oblivious to OUR agony. The only one who suffers if we do not forgive is the person who refuses to forgive. However, in forgiving both people benefit, whether the other person ever understands it or not, accepts it or not.
Forgiveness is a salve on the soul of the person doing the forgiving. Whenever I run up against this wall, I don't ask "how" I just say "please." It is the desire to forgive that allows it to happen. If you allow God to do the heavy lifting, the How will take care of itself.... much like that Red Balloon.
BTW, that was an excellent way to physically let go of something that was mentally disturbing you. As human beings we tend to relate to visuals. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
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