On the 15th of March this year, I would like to encourage you to invite the Spirit of Forgiving into your life and experience its blessings for yourself.

In 1995, I was interviewed on the local Riviera Radio program “A Problem Aired.” The theme was “forgiving when it’s difficult.” During the discussion we had the idea to declare the 15th of March International Forgiving Day.

Part of my vision for International Forgiving Day is that, rather like Thanksgiving in the U.S. heralds Christmas, Forgiving Day heralds Easter – one of my favorite celebrations. The day is international because I feel that forgiving is a choice possible for every human being, whatever their culture, creed or circumstance. Forgiving is one of the most powerful tools within reach of everyone.

Since that first International Forgiving Day on March 15 in 1995, I have noticed many sweet miracles taking place in the world, on or around that date. Increasingly, I am finding that more and more of us are enjoying the blessings that come through embracing the Spirit of Forgiving in our daily lives.

Each year on Forgiving Day, I have experienced a growing sense of the subtle love that forgiving brings to me, a gentle and at the same time very powerful presence. My experience last year was that of being enfolded in a pure love that was really tangible to me, hard to describe. It softened my hard edges and made me smile.

I know without a doubt that in the Spirit of Forgiving is an unconditional love that protects and sustains me – whatever my human weaknesses and shortcomings. If this quality of loving is available to me, it is available to everyone.

Now in its 7th year, my sense is that the Day is beginning to have its own momentum. I felt originally that it might take 10 years for the vision to take hold.

If there is any way you would like to participate and increase the value of International Forgiving Day 15 March 2001, I would love to hear about it. You might like to celebrate the Day by finding some new way to be forgiving. At a moment (I think we all have them) when you may be tempted to withhold your love, give it instead. Perhaps you can find ways to express your love to those who hurt you in the past. See how you feel when you switch from self-criticism to self-acceptance.

Please feel free to pass on and share any or all of this Invitation to those you love.

HAPPY FORGIVING DAY!

Anne Naylor
AnneNaylor@compuserve.com

Anne Naylor has been a Consultant in personal motivation since 1982, following her successful career in personnel recruitment and administration. Trained mainly in the United States in techniques of personal development and applied psychology, she has since designed and presented programs in self-motivation, career development and early retirement for many blue chip companies. In 1990, Anne relocated to the South of France and between 1992 and 1996, published three personal development books, “Superlife,” “Superlove” and “SuperYou” (Thorsons HarperCollins). Drawing on the ideas in these books, she founded the innovative Possible Dream Group on the Cote d’Azur in 1995 and initiated the vision that the 15th of March be International Forgiving Day. Her latest book, “Random Soul,” is in the early stages of finding a publisher.