Hi there..here on the Gold Coast, our roads are jammed, the beaches are crowded and it's hard to find an empty restaurant. As many people drive to their holiday destination at this time of year, motoring organisations advise drivers to have their car checked before heading off. It gives us some kind of safeguard. At least that we won't find ourselves hurtling down a steep incline without brakes. A check up is always a good idea in any case. Your car lasts longer and your loved ones are safer.

What eggsactly is Easter about?

I was thinking about the meaning behind Easter yesterday morning. My thoughts were prompted by an article in the local paper entitled,'What eggsactly is Easter about?' Apparently, more than half of British people have no idea why Easter is celebrated. Well, let me put this in perspective, that is according to a Readers Digest Magazine poll of 1,000 people. The report then went on to discuss the general ignorance of Brits about other major religions of the world.Our local paper, not to be outdone surveyed six people. Sadly their answers were hardly encouraging! They must have skipped Religious Education classes at school. Never the less, it got me pondering.

For me, the spiritual message, especially at this time of year, is of forgiveness. However, forgiveness is not one of those topics we are trained or coached in, rather we are just told to do it. The 'How to' of forgiveness is a little more illusive. I'll come to that in a moment.

Later that day I was searching 'forgiveness' on the Net and found a gem. It has explored all the ins and outs of forgiveness, including current research projects on forgiveness. The site also gave reasons why forgiveness is a necessary part of health and listed the benefits from the act of forgiveness. The benefits include:

decreased levels of anger and hostility
increased feelings of love
improved ability to control anger
enhanced capacity to trust
freedom from the control of events of the past
no longer repeating negative behaviors
improved physical health
significant improvement in psychiatric disorders.

They warned,'On the other hand, one who cannot forgive may continue to suffer endlessly.'

All this re-confirmed to me the practical sense of forgiveness. If you are wondering about the 'how to' of forgiveness, here is an article that may help.

Why practice forgiveness? It is like giving your car a check up before traveling long distances. It saves wear and tear on your heart. It's always a good idea in any case. You will last longer and your loved ones are safer.

I trust you have a safe and happy Easter :)