Friday, August 14, 2009

Forgiveness Prompt 10

We have special news for this prompt today! We have our very FIRST sponsor! a HUGE thanks to Bonnie over at Scrapadilly and Green Greco products. These products hold a special place in my heart. The first reason is because they have totally cute products;) and the other is that their products are Eco friendly. So please check out the links above and support them. Bonnie is donating an awesome prize package of Green Geco products for one lucky winner who completes Prompt 10 and links it back to this post by September 10, 2009. We will promptly select a winner just in time for the next prompt.



with that being said...let's get started!!! Here is prompt 10:

I found this scandanavian proverb while thumbing through a book and i just knew it was perfect for us here at Forward Progress.

he who lets the small things bind him leaves the great undone behind him


how can we move forward in life if we have not forgiven {someone, something, ourselves, etc} for something in the past?

Now, you might be thinking that this is about the past but i want us to focus on what we need to do in order for us to forgive and forget ...a promise to ourselves....to let go of so we can move forward.



you might not want to forget but there is a process we go through for forgiveness and it starts today. for me, it starts now:

Here is ellen's take on today's prompt:

I used a heart from Clear Scraps and made a mask with the flowers on the back with Glimmer Mists and Color Washes. I sure wish it showed up better but this is the best photo I can get with it. I hid my journaling in the scroll. There is a little Magistical Memories chipboard drink on the back, LOL! I find I like to have a glass of wine when these things start going through my head.




in the scroll i wrote this:

it seems as if everyday i ask myself, "what if i would not have done that, would my life be different"? i often think, "will my children be punished for the decisions i have made"? if so, how can i live with myself? i am not sure why, til this day, i am so hard on myself. i seek perfection in everything i do and even when i receive constructive criticism, i take it so hard. i am not perfect. i am not perfect. i am not perfect. ellen, you made those decisions b/c at the time, it is what you needed to do to survive. maybe you got lucky, maybe there is a grand scheme for you. you are touching lives now, you are making a difference. let that be good enough. let that be enough so you can forgive the hurt you caused and allow yourself to heal and be forgiven. you must forgive yourself or that negative energy will destroy you. it will consume you. it has consumed you. don't give it the power you are now. it starts today. it starts now.


Lisa's:

This topic, for me, was easy. In life, we are all exposed to teachable moments. Some we recognize as such, others might slide right past us going unnoticed. Well, I'm hear to tell you, divorce is not one of those unnoticeable moments. There are lessons to be learned at every turn. While I am certain I failed in many ways in my struggle to get through the most painful experience of my life, I am proud to say, I worked hard at forgiving from the beginning. And I firmly believe that it was only by forgiving that I was able to let go and move on.

Title reads: Letting Go of hurt, anger, resentment

Journaling: "moving forward means letting go of the past if the past fosters nothing more than pain and anger. learning to truly forgive...and in the process, letting go, has brought healing and freedom."


The Howards: married 5-24-86 separated 1-9-05 divorced 2006:


12 comments:

Jocelyn said...

FIrst off LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE the Header!!!! What great sponsors and what great products!!!!! Ellen I just adore what you did and the idea of the journaling in the scrolled paper!!!! Lisa yours is just beautiful and heartfelt!!!! Love these girls and so excited for the Blog!!!! :)

Lisa said...

Fantastic job Ellen on a tough subject! I love how the clear heart you used for your project symolizes the transparency you have with your on heart. You continue to blow me away with your insight AND your talent.

The new blog look is bold and exciting...LOVE IT! Looking forward to seeing more from Jocelyn and Peggy as the month progresses.

Brenda said...

Wow I am sooo glad I found this blog from Jocelyns blog...I think there is a message here for me....I think it is time for me to let go!
hugs
Brenda

Bessie said...

Wow, I'm so glad that I came across this blog a few days ago...this prompt was incredible.

Here's my link: http://yabedash.blogspot.com/2009/08/forgive-yourself.html

Thank you for letting me play along.

Bessie said...

Hey Ellen, thanks for stopping by my blog to leave some love. I was very touch with your comment. My grandma was basically my mother since she raised me since I was almost 2 years until I turned 26 years old when I moved to New York....she passed away this June...and I miss her very much.

I will pray for you to find the courage and strenght to go visit your grandma while she is here and make some memories with her, because Ellen once they're gone the only thing that holds us and keeps us strong to deal with the loss is the good memories. Hugs!

P.S. Thanks to you and the amazing ladies here for this wonderful blog!

Karen Lefebver said...

I did this challenge through the Scrapadilly forum. What fun & I made my page to add to my BOM album. Here is mine. The journaling reads, "I choose to forgive others who harm me whether they mean to or not. I choose NOT to let anger and distrust grow into hatred. I choose mental/physical health and creative thoughts over thoughts and actions which cause others pain. I CHOOSE TO GROW!"
Here is the link-

http://www.scrapadilly.com/gallery/files/2/4/6/1002-2_thumb.jpg

Drea said...

Man.........This was hard but I a grateful that I did it.

http://drea-days.blogspot.com/2009/08/forgiveness.html

chris a said...

Great prompt and super layouts. I know what you mean about forgetting but my mind went off on another track - here's my layout
http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/portfolio/view_layout.php?layout_id=186301&gallery_type=main

Dawnree said...

Thank you for this challenge. You gave me a lot to think about and this is what came out of it.
http://www.scrapadilly.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=5277&c=15
the Journaling reads:
I'm Sorry. Will you forgive me?
These seven simple words are so hard to say. They are really saying "I take responsibility for my actions, thoughts and oversights." They are how I will be released from the burden of my sins against others and God. Jesus has already covered them and washed me clean. I just need to let them go and take responsibility for new ones and do so quickly and with sincerity. (Ephesians 4:32)

the verse that I referenced reads: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

P.S. I realized after taking the pic that my title has 6 words and i wrote seven in my journaling I was counting as if I wrote "I am" instead of "I'm" not sure if I am going to fix it or let it go.

Lisa said...

Here is the link for Kim's layout:

http://lovejoyscrap.blogspot.com/2009/08/forward-progress-prompt-10.html

Kim Strother said...

Thanks Lisa- I was just coming over to add my link!!
xoxo-Kim

Jocelyn said...

Wow ladies....you have all done a Fabulous Job on all of these LO's!!!! Thanks for playing along!!!!! :)