I’ve never been too impressed with most of the big celebrities of television and movie fame. Sure, some are pretty cool and live interesting lives. And who wouldn’t want to have a beer with Bill Murray?
C’mon, you know you would… It would be serious fun!
I always try to remember this… we can learn from anyone. And it’s the ones we dismiss the quickest, that many times own the most powerful lessons.
For me, somewhere between astronaut and rock star, or maybe it was fighter pilot, there may have been a fleeting hope of being “discovered” and someday becoming famous.
Then came my seventh birthday.
But I’ll admit, I still have a place in my heart for Indiana Jones.
So, I’m pretty sure I’m telling you all of this to weave a safety net, a safety net so you won’t judge me too harshly when I admit to reading an interview with actor of modest notoriety, Craig T. Nelson.
I’m calling myself out… I’m being smug and judgmental only to protect myself because I’m insecure in admitting that I read a celebrity interview. (Busted)
Why not read it? He’s a talented and funny guy with an impressive rap sheet of TV and movies. Much longer than yours and mine put together. I’m contributing zero to the list, how about you?
The interview is interesting with all the usual stuff… until the end, when Ryan Krogh enquires with the highest journalistic prowess (See, I’m doing it again… and I don’t have any bylines in a major publication) — “Considering that you’re returning as the Voice of Mr. Incredible in Incredibles 2, I have to ask: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
His answer… “Forgiveness.”
Wow! Did not see that one coming.
I was thinking time travel or maybe invisibility.
Ryan observes…“You don’t often hear forgiveness described as a superpower.” (I’m going with never.)
“It’s a little-known commodity, little used. There’s an awful lot of judgement and self-righteousness. But forgiveness is hard to come by.”
Forgiveness is hard to come by, isn’t it?
And that judgement and self-righteousness thing? Just spend a few minutes on the typical Facebook feed (Yes, Facebook… I’m callin’ you out. You haven’t been forgiven yet).
Ponder that for a moment…
In all seriousness, I think Craig is giving us a powerful answer. One certainly worth considering. Because in the world of superpowers, it’s one that mere mortals can harness with the right amount of practice, effort and will. But it does take work. You already know that.
The lesson I have learned most recently about forgiveness is this…
It’s not a pass.
It’s not saying the offender was right.
It does not exonerate them.
But it helps make the offense something you can move on from… It’s letting go of something, something that holds us back.
Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person’s throat.”— William P. Young, Author of The Shack
Forgiveness isn’t only about giving something to the other party, you are giving to yourself as well. You’re letting a wound heal…
Putting in the past… what belongs in the past.
Most of us need time to work through pain and loss. We can find all manner of reasons for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to forfeit the peace and happiness that could be ours.” – James E. Faust, American religious leader
Yes, it can be very hard to do.
You hurt me,
You wronged me,
You took something from me.
Yes, forgiveness is a superpower if only because true forgiveness has become so rare. But also, because it can give you, others and possibly a small part of the world a powerful leap forward.
Practice it. Exercise that muscle. Develop it. Use it.
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(Ryan Krogh’s interview with actor Craig T. Nelson, can be found on the last page of the July 2018 issue of Men’s Journal… properly called “The Last Word”).
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