Ho’oponopono

Ho’oponopono is a Hawaiian forgiveness prayer that we just learned about last night during an episode of a show. In the show, an elderly father was in the last hour of his life and the doctor told the man's children that he heard of this prayer or mantra and it helped him.  It was so moving and impactful that I looked it up - and yes, its a real thing.  Ho’oponopono consists of four parts:

I love you

Thank you

I forgive you

Please forgive me

Simple and elegant. On the heels of our trip to Hawai'i it seemed to be perfectly timed. We are going through a lot of changes and challenges, new schools, TJ leaving for college, family dynamics shifting, and life being unpredictable as always.  This prayer came along at the right time.

I love you. I love my family and the joy they have given me over all these years. My family makes me a better person and calms me at my core.

Thank you for loving me back and growing up to be good people. It makes me so hopeful for the people you will become one day.

I forgive you for those times you hurt me, either intentionally or by accident. Never think that there is a score card where I am keeping tally. Things happen, I let them go.

Please forgive me because I have never been a perfect husband, father, brother, or friend.  In those times where I have not lived up to being my best, please know I never wanted to hurt anyone.

There, I feel better already.