Forgiveness

I will forgive you if------
I will forgive you as soon as-------
I will forgive you when ever------
If you are finishing these sentences when or if you forgive someone is that true forgiveness no that is putting conditions on your forgiveness. It in no way will set you free.
First there is an offence, if there is not forgiveness after the offence there is resentment. If there is not forgiveness after resentment this leads to hatred. Then hatred leads to grudge. Then grudge settles in revenge. Once a person has reached this thought pattern there seems to be no turning back revenge has to be done and people cannot forgive. Holding a grudge will suck the life energy out of you fill you with negativity and make you weak. What you have to do is find the strength to rise above negative energies like anger, fear, resentment, hatred, vengeance, finger pointing, suspicion, bitterness, and condemnation. It is said that for the sake of your future you must let go of the past, become wiser, and move forward. Forgiveness is necessary if you ever plan to live fully and happily again. Remember that the best cure for guilt is forgiveness. Holding on to guilt or resentment or worse yet a grudge weakens the immune system the same way chronic stress does. The forgiver is the one that is freed in forgiving.
When you are feeling down and at the bottom of that pit and then it feels like someone kicks you again, if you have the ability to forgive and not be offended you will know the happiness of having a clear conscious. People have got to develop a thicker layer of skin, and not to take things so serious. Some people are going to make petty remarks about anything you do. People bashing or gossip falls into that category. Soft heart and thick skin that’s what you need. In more blatant terms embrace and give the love, ward off the crap.
Sifu Hayes www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain Alberta Canada

The Weekend

Went pool diving this weekend nice to be totally suspended in the water just hovering around in total weightlessness! It is just not like the open water but it is the only place us land locked people can practice. Our daughter bought a house, nineteen fifty-nine, quaint and nice. Also carpet covered hardwood floors, they can be repaired and sanded. The house is well built. They bought it from the original owner.
Got our male cat neutered, he was not too happy about going to the city in a cage. I can see his point.
Sifu Hayes www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain Alberta Canada

Arrangements

Doing some funeral arrangements for wife and myself. No not thinking of dying yet! Just getting a place for and type of burial prepared. Getting it set up so someone else dose not have to do it when I am gone. Been through that when my parents passed. Not the best time to be making decisions for some one else when they can’t help you, and emotions are running high. We think it will be a lot easier on everybody else if it is prepared and prepaid. It’s a lot cheaper to come into this world than going out!
Sifu Hayes www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain Alberta

Think

The way you think creates your attitude. The way you think creates your emotions. The way you think governs your behavior. The way you think influences your immune system and your vulnerability to illness. Everything about you flows from the way you think. Whether we are filled with confidence or fear depends on the kinds of thoughts that habitually occupy our minds. This principal affects every aspect of our lives. In a climate of economic instability we are bombarded by media messages painting a picture of gloom and doom. No we shouldn’t deny what is happening around us but also we should not let those fear filled messages to imbed themselves into our thoughts. This makes you an expert worrier about finances, employment and investments. If we occupy our minds with memories of how someone has hurt us in the past, chances are pretty good we will become angry and bitter toward that person. If we recall bad choices that cause personal failures in the past we will become entrenched in self-blame and discouragement. If we compare ourselves to someone’s circumstances in life that seem better than ours we will fall into the trap of self-pity or envy. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, and excellent. When thoughts that fall short of this standard, enter our mind, we are not to entertain them. Because the thoughts we entertain have a huge bearing on our lives.
Some quotes from John Ortberg
Sifu Hayes www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain Alberta Canada

Fall

Fall is upon us again. I love to see the change in the leaves, from green to all the autumn colors. That doesn’t mean that I jump on the bandwagon and say yahoo winter is coming. It means that yahoo no more mosquitoes. That morning frost in the crisp air as it fills your lungs with the first breath outside. The leaves changing, makes every day brand new, as Mother Nature works her wonders. I often think of moving into town to get away from the travel and a lot of the extra work, but when I wake up and look outside and see the beauty I just can’t make that move, it will be inevitable someday we will wait till then. Winter is always easier for me to stay totally connected with Kung Fu. In summer I really have to push myself with staying practiced, as that time of year is so busy with other things. I haven’t been at the Kwoon for nearly a month because of job, retaining walls, driveway and holidays; it sure felt good to be back this week. Oh Yah. No I have not slacked off on the UBBT. Till next time.
Sifu Hayes www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain Alberta Canada