The idea of karma as cold, inescapable fate is tempered by the idea of forgiveness.  As soon as I can forgive – myself, everyone else, what I see the world as – I’m released and I release myself from the karmic hold of past deeds, thoughts and words.  I’m reminded of the words of Francis of Assisi:

For it is in forgiving that we are forgiven.

I don’t believe that God, or my karma, as the case may be according to your belief system, holds my transgressions against me as a form of retribution in the event I hold others’ transgressions against them.  I don’t believe that my karma is held over my head me as some form of punishment for not forgiving others.  I don’t think that’s what Francis meant in the above line of his famous prayer.

Rather, as long as my arms are crossed and my fists balled up in anger and unforgiveness, I can’t receive the forgiveness always and everywhere waiting for me to receive it.

© 2022 by Michael C. Just

Mike’s novel, The Dirt: The Journey of a Mystic Cowboy, is available in softcover or eBook formats through Amazon.

You can purchase the book through this website. Or go straight to amazon at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+dirt+journey+of+a+mystic+cowboy&crid=1S40Q4BXSUWJ6&sprefix=the+dirt%3A+journey+of+a+m%2Caps%2C180&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_23

Mike’s other titles, including The Crippy, The Mind Altar, and Canyon Calls, are available through this website or through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002

Four of his short stories have recently been published online:

Lies, Ltd. has been published by The Mystery Tribune @ Lies, Ltd.: Literary Short Fiction by Michael C. Just (mysterytribune.com)

The Obligate Carnivore has been published by the Scarlet Leaf Review @ Category: MICHAEL JUST – SCARLET LEAF REVIEW

I See You, Too has been published by the 96th of October @ I See You, Too – 96th of October

Offload, a short story about a man who can heal any disease, is now live and can be read at The Worlds Within at Offload – The Worlds Within