There was another incident of senseless violence at Ohio State University yesterday. It seems like the news makes no sense anymore. Ever. This Thanksgiving, I felt guilty for giving thanks for so many blessings when I know other people are hurting, whether that hurt is physical, emotional, or financial.

It’s tempting to retreat inward in times like these, to ease away from the news and social media and resort to watching videos of puppies and kittens. That’s a selfish impulse, though. We can’t retreat from the pain other people are feeling and make anything better.

What can make things better? Kindness. Compassion. Understanding.

We can make an effort to recognize graciousness and selflessness whenever we find it, and that’s what I’m going to do in this post today.

I want to give a shout out to a brand new web site called IHopeYouForgiveMe.com. Founded by Liza Wiemer, it’s just one more example of the kindness and emphasis on forgiveness that she is constantly putting out into the world. Today, we need that more than ever. We not only need to forgive others. We need to forgive ourselves and let go of pain.

Here’s a video that explains about the site:

In a nutshell, the site is a place to post anonymous stories of the hurts, big and small, that people have inflicted on each other. The hurts that continue to stick with us. It’s a place to reach out and show the world that we all have pain and to put ourselves in other peoples’ shoes so that we can all go on to be better and kinder.

Go read these stories. Reading inspires empathy.

Have a story to share? Something you regret? A mistake you wish you could erase? A hurt you’ve inflicted for which you never asked forgiveness? It’s not too late. Go share it. Ask for forgiveness.

And a big THANK YOU to Liza for inspiring this at a time when we need it.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Hugs and much love,

Martina