Little Miss Bond sums today in a nutshell (forgive me I'm not a fan proof reading!)

Last week I lived with monks. I infiltrated their layer and mingled amongst them, I walked mountains barefoot and mediated with a dead body; more on that later, today I had a thought I wanted to share.

Today; in a nutshell.

Today I heard a lie.

A blatant lie told to a friend to protect the one who spoke it. A lie spoken on my behalf without consultation that I neither requested nor endorsed.

Today I felt angry at the audacity of others.

Today I read this:

Sometimes we think that to develop an open heart, to be truly loving and compassionate, means that we need to be passive, to allow others to abuse us, to smile and let anyone do what they want with us. Yet this is not what is meant by compassion. Quite the contrary. Compassion is not at all weak. It is the strength that arises out of seeing the true nature of suffering in the world. Compassion allows us to bear witness to that suffering, whether it is in ourselves or others, without fear; it allows us to name injustice without hesitation, and to act strongly, with all the skill at our disposal. To develop this mind state of compassion...is to learn to live, as the Buddha put it, with sympathy for all living beings, without exception.

― Sharon Salzberg, Loving kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness

Today I realized this:

So often when seeking an easy life one seeks forgiveness of others too quickly. Letting their behavior pass continuously unchallenged, yet if the perpetrator never truly realizes the extent to the hurt they cause how can you heal and how can they learn? You've done yourself a greater injustice than they ever did.
Protect yourself and others from conflict but also from fear do not harbor hurt it will transform to hate, you can not speak forgiveness if it is not in your heart. This does not make you a better person, this makes you a bitter person.

Good friends will offer and seek recompense honestly and openly without conflict. A good heart is a peaceful heart, not one that causes wrongs or one that feels wronged. Communication is key to happiness, a good friend is not one that never has to say sorry, it’s a friend that knows when. Listen to others and listen to your heart. Then, and not before then, you will find peace.

Today I questioned my right to be angry, I realised we're all so far from perfect (I'm as faulty as the come) and then I took a breath and let it go...

Today I'm working on it :)