How many years have I spent judging others and blaming them for my fear, my pain, and my anger? Or unconsciously judging people who just cross my path? None of this has ever helped me feel content or at peace. It is love and forgiveness that give me peace of mind.
How easy it was to be angry at others for my own feelings and behavior. Yet, it always came back at me, forcing me to see myself and when I looked, I didn’t like what I saw. The more I judged, the worse I felt. In fact, I judged myself so harshly I felt unlovable. In Al-Anon I learned that when I point a finger at someone else, three fingers are pointing back at me. What I judge in others is what I recognize in myself.
But, when pointing a finger, the thumb can also point upwards to God and that’s where love and grace come from. God’s love gives me the willingness to accept myself and forgive myself for my past harmful behavior to myself and others. My Higher Power – Love allows me to grace myself with acceptance and forgiveness. Now, I can see myself without hiding; now I can accept and love myself for facing and growing through all the hard life lessons of the past. I can love myself as I am! This allows me to grace others with this new behavior, too! I can forgive, even those who caused me great harm.
It’s OK to love an alcoholic/addict! It’s OK to love a perfectly imperfect human being! Peace.
Anonymous March 25, 2026
Image of a finger by Yaroslav Danylchenko on Freepix
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