A teacher had each one of her students
bring a clear plastic bag and a sack
of potatoes to class.
For every person they would refuse to forgive
in their life, they were told to choose a potato,
write on it the name and date,
and put it into the plastic bag.
Some of the bags, as you can imagine,
were quite heavy.
They were then told to carry this bag
with them everywhere for one week, putting it
beside our bed at night, on the car seat
or next to our desk at work.
The hassle of lugging this around with them made
it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually
and how they had to pay attention to it
at all times to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.
Naturally, the condition of the potatoes
deteriorated to a nasty slime.
This was a great metaphor for the price
we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!!
Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift...
and while that is true...it clearly
is also a gift to ourselves!!!
