Forgiveness: A Visit to the Regional Psychiatric Centre
- Flo Lavallie, DNM Clinical Herbalist | May 26, 2014
In March, 2014 I was honored to be invited to the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon. I consider this a privilege to speak to nine men, and two social workers doing their practicum at this institution, as well as two staff members to a forgiveness group.
I was asked to share my story, my life's journey of my youth, growing up in a convent, a similar environment to that of Residential Schools, similar to the experience of their parents, forefathers/mothers.
Many of the people spending time in these institutions, in my opinion is the road travelled before them by their ancestors.
This is a poem written by one of the first Nations Young men at R.P.C. presented to me with the picture of an eagle/buffalo.
Eagle Feathers of Forgiveness
When an eagle loses its feathers it is then presented as a gift from above.
Whoever finds the feather will hold the spirit of the eagle and with it comes great choices.
We share these choices with other people and decide to either use or abuse this feather.
The feather, can represent anything from love, hate, respect, selfishness, greed and so on but in this case I will use it for forgiveness.
When we forgive we feel weightless like a feather in the wind, but when we block out forgiveness and choose another path like selfishness then we come crashing down to earth like a rock.
When we're like a rock on the inside then sure we're tough, but we also stay in our place like a rock.
I don't know about anyone else, but I would rather go places on a gentle breeze like a feather then stay in one place rather like a rock.
Remember where the eagle feather comes from and remember that you'll always have a choice.
It's up to you if you want to soar to new heights, or if you want to fall like a rock.
L.
Forgiveness means you are willing to let go of what someone owes you for the hurt they've caused.
This is not easy - it will be one of the most painful things you will have to do - almost as painful as the abuse itself.
If you want full and complete healing then you must forgive. Whether or not you are able to confront your abuser, you must forgive.
All the monetary compensation in the world will not bring true freedom from a horrendous past.