I am taking this time of recuperation to focus on the challenge of forgiveness.
Daily we are transgressed upon by those we know, those we don't know and those we don't know we don't know. It could be fate or circumstance. It could be friend or foe. It could be an act of G-d.
Most times, those that have injured us do not know or care that they have done so. It is not usually done with malice nor intent. It is usually by virtue of an act of self interest. A means to better themselves or their collective interests, by a thoughtless selfish act or decision. So how do we learn to forgive, when we have been injured through transgressions of another ? Most of us find it difficult to turn the other cheek (I know I do), as we usually receive another slap against our exposed cheek or a boot to another part of our anatomy.
As a child and now adult, how have you dealt with acts or decisions by your parents or peers when you were young. You may have been grounded or you may have lost privileges in a manner you thought was unfair. Did you live through a divorce and feel that somehow it was your fault ? Some have been exposed to harsher transgressions of mental, physical or sexual abuse. Some have had exposure to persons with drug or alcohol addiction. How does one forgive those actions and the persons who committed those acts against you. How can one forgive, when those transgressions have formed the people we have become. Maybe in school you were the target of bullies or an outcast from the cliques that formed in your school yards. How have you forgiven those that purposefully harmed you emotionally or physically ?
As an adult, most have been injured by others in a financial way. Some of us may have lost savings, homes, careers by virtue of acts and decisions of others we don't know in banking institutions or the corporations we work for. All of us have been exposed to decisions by our governments (run by politicians, we don't know and bureaucrats, we don't know) that have cost us a reduction in the value of our assets and equities. Through inflation and (potentially soon) higher interest rates, the agreement we have with governments and lenders may change to further their self interest and injure our personal interests.
Let's assume two persons making the average family income of $60,000 per year. Those two people buy an average home of $250,000 with a 5% down payment. They max their TFSA (IRA in the USA) and RSP (401K in the USA) and do not have any other savings accounts. They also have a car payment on a used SUV. Without doing the math, I can illustrate how those acts of self interest by those you don't know can effect your life and lifestyle. What if the banks double the lending rate for mortgages prior to your 5 year renewal (remember others in your newly built neighborhood would have gotten a mortgage at about the same time). You or your neighbor may not be able to pay the increased mortgage payment and may be forced to sell at a lesser value or even have the unfortunate experience of foreclosure (I believe the number is 3.5 million foreclosed homes in the USA). What if one of you lost a job to changes in your corporation's financial status, new government regulations or onerous legislation ? Your assets and life plan would be at risk. If you don't think this is a possibility - you may want to read up on recent world events in North America, Europe and China. As governments look to increase their tax base, the potential for higher municipal taxes, provincial/state taxes and federal tax increases are looming over the North American economy. Potential changes to increase tax rates may in fact reduce your retirement income as you withdraw from your tax sheltered investments. The governments in power now or in the future may put an environmental or infrastructure tax on gasoline. That would make your SUV more costly to operate.
Regarding those persons and entities that you don't know you don't know, the whole worldwide financial system as we have trusted and believed in - may collapse due to 5 banks that are involved in approximately 95% of the derivatives market (hundreds of trillions of dollars). Although derivatives are thought to be net neutral, what if the insurance companies that take the risk side of the financial instrument cannot meet their obligations. Not possible ? Read up on AIG. If other insurers go bankrupt - what happens to annuities that have been issued as safe investments to unsuspecting and unsophisticated investors, what happens to pension funds, what direction do the cost of premiums for other insurance products go, what happens to real estate (both multi-family and commercial) when these insurance companies must liquidate their assets to cover their obligations ? What happens to your income taxes and the value of your assets, when the government injects fiat (devalued) money into those companies that are too big to fail ?
Can you forgive me for discussing the above and bringing these issues to your attention? Can you forgive me for being morose and circumspect ? Can you forgive me for saying that all that you know or think you know is dark and serious ? Can you forgive me ?
The point of this blog is to uplift you, not depress you. To share with you a path shown to me by others, who have been through challenges and circumstances far worse than I can imagine. A path that I am trying to follow to lessen my bitterness, to not dwell on anger and strengthen my hope for the future. It doesn't require you to confess if you're Catholic, atone during Yom Kippur or Ramadan by fasting if your Jewish or Muslim nor being born again if you are Christian. It has nothing to do with asking forgiveness from the higher power you believe in. It is easy to ask for forgiveness from another person or your god. It takes no courage to ask for something that another has power over.
I'm suggesting a more difficult path to happiness. To forgive yourself.
Can you forgive yourself ? For not being strong enough to stand up for yourself when you were young ? You should do it, that is forgive yourself. You were just a little kid and had no personal power. You were dependent on others. It was never your fault for the acts and decisions others made, even if you felt it was your fault. Try to forgive those who hurt you, don't forget, refuse to do those acts upon others and get on with your life from this day forward. Above all - forgive yourself.
Can you forgive yourself for believing in the government, the corporations you work for and financial institutions that have affected your life and lifestyle through selfish decisions on their part ? You should do it, that is forgive yourself. You were taught to believe that if you went to school, learned a profession or trade, worked hard, saved money, bought a house, saved for retirement and were a good citizen - then the governments you entrusted, the corporations you worked for and the financial institutions you trusted to protect you - would all do the right things. You would retire on your hard earn savings and enjoy the last days of your life. It was told to you in school, during elections, on TV, in books and magazine articles. Try to forgive them, don't forget, refuse to allow those persons or organizations to perform those acts upon you again, protect your freedom, protect your finances and get on with your life from this day forward. Above all - forgive yourself.
Can you forgive yourself ? Knowing all that you have done, all that you have thought about, all that you crave and lust for. Please, forgive yourself.
Can you forgive yourself ? For standing by when others were bullied and taken advantage of. When you didn't stop another for acts of selfishness or power that affected those you love or care for. Please, forgive yourself.
Can you forgive yourself ? Because, in the past you haven't done the right things ? Please start to do the right things. Above all - forgive yourself.
Philosopher's Stone Oil and Gas Foundation is an endeavor to do the right thing. To somehow help others that need a flexible work environment. Older workers that have disabilities, that still need employment due to situations that were beyond their control and want to believe in something greater than themselves. Younger workers that are looking for guidance and an opportunity to work for a purpose greater than themselves. We will help persons and families that need a hand up and not just a hand out. We will offer a different business model to the oil and gas industry, that benefits both existing corporations and the communities they work in.
The time that you have right now, is all that you can count on. There is no future, there is no past. There is only now. NOW - FORGIVE YOURSELF !!!
