Campaign for Love & Forgiveness

2011-07-09T22:09:00.576-04:00

A Reflection for December 2011

Improve your health & happiness by doing good things for others? Tis so says Dr. Stephen Post, Director, Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics & Professor of Bioethics at Stony Brook University. The other day while thumbing through a magazine in a coffee shop, I happened upon an article, Do Good, Feel Good. Nice to run into such things this time of year.

I had the good fortune to be part of a small group discussion with Dr. Post during a retreat at the Fetzer Institute a couple years ago. I highly recommend his book, Why Good Things Happen to Good People.

Steve Chappell-WGVU

The Psychology & Physiology of Forgiveness
What is Forgiveness? Is it Beneficial?

Video clip featuring Dr. Fred Luskin, Stanford University
(credit: Institute of Noetic Sciences / Shift in Action)

Has Forgiveness Helped You

The word “forgiveness” means different things to different people. Forgiving ourselves or others may be hard because emotions such as fear, and resentment get in the way. Once we forgive, these emotions often dissipate.

Research shows that forgiveness may be good for our health. Some of life's events are harder to get past than others. Forgiving does not mean forgetting or condoning, but rather increasing understanding, and acceptance.

Steve Chappell-WGVU

Share Your Forgiveness Story

Has practicing forgiveness helped you? Share your story - it may help others. Below enter your name, or anonymous, and your comments (up to 1,000 characters or 3 short paragraphs). Press "Go" to publish.

How Has Forgiving Yourself or Another Person Helped You ?

2011-07-09T19:32:00.000-04:00

Great Video Clips about Forgiveness

featuring Dr. Fred Luskin-Stanford University
http://learningtoforgive.com/

(Video Credit : Institute of Noetic Sciences / Shift in Action)

Has Forgiveness Helped You?

The word “forgiveness” means different things to different people. Forgiving ourselves or others is often hard to do because emotions like fear, anger, and resentment get in the way. Once we do forgive, these emotions often disappear.

Research shows that forgiving ourselves & others makes us happier & healthier. Some of life's events are harder to get past than others. Forgiving does not mean forgetting or condoning. It means dealing with hurt in a healthier way to create understanding, acceptance, and healing.

Forgiveness is for you. It sets you free. Forgiveness releases you from the control of another person or situation. It frees your mind by no longer allowing another person to occupy space in your head for an unlimited amount of time. Forgiveness often creates peace and may lead to reconciliation.

Steve Chappell - WGVU

Share Your Views

Has forgiveness helped you improve relationships at work or home? Share your story below - it may help others. Below are responses to past questions, including "is forgiveness a choice" and "is anything unforgivable?" Feel free to respond to what others have said.

In the boxes below, please enter your name, or the word "anonymous," or other description such as your first name and employer or name and town. Your message (comments) may be up to 1,000 characters (about 3 short paragraphs). After keying your comment press "Go" to publish.

2010-04-10T10:28:00.321-04:00

Has Forgiveness Helped You?

Steve Chappell - WGVU

Share Your Views

2010-03-20T07:28:00.001-04:00

QUESTION OF THE WEEK ?

What causes us to become less forgiving of ourselves and others? Is it fear, stress, a lack of sleep, being depressed, perhaps difficult people? For me, it can be any of these. And what can we do about it?

Some people have a tendency whether in good times or bad of being more understanding, forgiving, less selfish, and happier. Is this a product of their personality or a choice?

By simply being aware of these factors are we able to control our behavior in the face of adverse circumstances in order to be more patient, understanding, and forgiving with one another?

Click on the following link to answer the question,

anonymously if you wish, and read what others are saying.

Your Opinions Make This Blog Better.

Click here > http://twtpoll.com/nvmkqa

2010-03-19T16:47:00.007-04:00

Forgiveness and The Freedom of Letting Go

Nice Video to End the Week With

2010-03-11T06:01:00.007-05:00

Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Monk

on Forgiveness

Bio of Thich Nhat Hanh

2010-03-09T15:06:00.002-05:00

Group Conversations for Teenagers

Coming Spring 2010

Join other teens in a fun series of conversations where you will learn how forgiving yourself and others improves relationships, reduces stress, and makes you happier. To learn more, contact Steve Chappell at 616-331-6505 or chappels@gvsu.edu

2010-03-08T18:01:00.001-05:00

Forgivness is Liberating

Pastor Jack -Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

2010-03-07T16:45:00.001-05:00

"The Psychology of Forgiveness"

with Dr. Fred Luskin - the foremost researcher on forgiveness.

It is definately worth 45 minutes of your time

to watch this video

The Psychology of Forgiveness
Video / http://www.perfspot.com/video/10831...
2008 Theology Institute Annual Conference: Forgiveness" The Psychology of Forgiveness"
Fred Luskin, Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project
Villanova University October 28, 2008

2010-02-26T16:21:00.064-05:00

Ireland, Awaiting Forgiveness

Soon The Campaign for Love & Forgiveness will grow wings and travel to Ireland thanks to the efforts of campaign partner Dr. Robert Hendershot, History Professor at Grand Rapids Community College, and Program Coordinator of their Irish Foreign Studies Program. Bob will accompany 21 students to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for three weeks in June to study conflict resolution. Prior to their departure this class will participate in on-line discussions about forgiveness using tools developed by the Fetzer Institute. These same materials will be used for conversations on Irish soil: http://www.fetzer.org/loveandforgive/take-action/start-conversations

GRCC Irish Foreign Studies Program: http://www.grcc.edu/irishstudies

Can there be peace in Ireland, and if so, can the lessons learned help you and I improve relationships in our homes, at work, and in our communities by providing insight into our own behavior?
Posted by Steve Chappell

Video Clip: Ireland, Waiting for Forgiveness

Gerry Adams to Talk Forgiveness in Upcoming Film http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/feb/14/gerry-adams-jesus-documentary-forgiveness/print

2010-02-26T16:06:00.009-05:00

What is Forgiveness ?

with Dr. Fred Luskin

Bio of Dr. Luskin

This recording was produced by Shift in Action, a program of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Shift in Action features the largest web library on conscious change, including work from more than 350 inspiring leaders such as Deepak Chopra. For more information, visit http://www.shiftinaction.com/, or you can listen to free samples of their weekly teleseminars here: http://www.shiftinaction.com/discover/audio/highlights

2010-02-26T08:27:00.005-05:00

How to be More Forgiving

with Dr. Fred Luskin

Bio of Dr. Luskin

- by Steve Chappell, WGVU

2010-02-25T16:46:00.018-05:00

Is the Word "Forgiveness" too Confusing ?

by Steve Chappell - Originally Posted 2/15/09 - 9:24 PM

Sometimes I struggle with the word forgiveness. Not with the intent but the word. What does it mean? At times it seems too formal, too complex, and too much about the "other" person. Quite frankly, a word too much associated with Christian benevolence, rather than a great way to reduce stress, increase happiness and be more compassionate with ourselves and others.

I don’t think that I am alone in my struggle with the word forgiveness. During the three years I have been involved with this project, I have heard others say they experience difficulty arriving at a simple definition of the word.

In recent months I have tried to practice forgiveness to improve relationships with my wife, daughter and others closest to me. When thinking of the word forgiveness, other words have started to enter my mind. Words like “understanding,” and “patience.” I have also started to think about conditions that prevent me from being forgiving, such as “fear,” and "selfishness."

Can forgiveness be a proactive process? For example, can I try to be more "understanding" when my ten year old daughter unintentionally interrupts while I am talking with my wife? Instead of being frustrated with my daughter, can I be more patient, understanding and forgiving upfront in order to foster a more harmonious relationship from the get go.

I was curious about this so Googled the words “forgiveness” and “proactive.” One top search hit is “Fred Luskin.” Some of his essays, including an article about “Four Steps Toward Forgiveness” that appeared in Healing Currents Magazine in 1996. In this article he speaks about each of us having a choice of how to forgive: http://www.newconversations.net/essay_luskin.htm

Chrissa (American Girl Doll), Leah Chappell, Steve Chappell

2009-09-01T14:47:00.047-04:00

Dr. Oliver Wilson

Friend of the Campaign

Dr. Oliver Wilson, Dean of Multicultural Affairs at Grand Valley State University, passed away yesterday, August 31, 2009. He was 44 : http://www.gvsu.edu/gvnow/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.read_news&id=70F233DE-E474-3F81-3428E0C5C65ABDB5

Oliver was one of our first partners in The Campaign for Love & Forgiveness. He provided insight, and encouragement for our efforts at GVSU. I approached Oliver about the Campaign in January 2007. This is when I learned about his illness. I had worked with Oliver in the past and was stunned and saddened to hear this news.

When I mentioned to him the name, "The Campaign for Love & Forgiveness," he said, "oh, yes, you mean understanding and acceptance." Months later, having grown in my understanding of forgiveness, it occurred to me how wise he had been in choosing the terms understanding and acceptance.

Photo of Oliver taken in December 2007

at a project planning meeting

Oliver, we love you, and we will miss you

Steve Chappell-WGVU

2009-06-13T18:30:00.575-04:00

JUNTEENTH Celebration Special Event
Saturday, June 20, 2009-Kalamazoo YWCA

Film Screening & Discussion of the PBS Film,
Reconstruction: The Second Civil War

View Film Trailer Above

Distinguished Panelists Included:

Mr. Llewellyn Smith - Producer of American Experience's "Reconstruction: The Second Civil War"
Dr. Don Cooney - Kalamazoo City Commissioner Associate Professor School of Social Work - WMU
Dr. Douglas Davidson - Associate Professor of Sociology - WMU
Ms. Lisa Densmore, Community Development Activist
Ms. Reba M. Harrington - Federal Attorney, Publisher/Editor Battle Creek Communicator
Dr. Harvey N. Myers - Retired Chemist, Pfizer
Dr. Walter Jones III - CEO Constructive Community Builders
Dr. Jeanne Baraka-Love, Founder, President & CEO of Ujima Enterprises
Ms. Jennifer Renkowski - Teacher, Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo
Dr. William Santiago-Valles, Associate Professor of Africana Studies - WMU
Dr. Von Washington - Professor of Theatre, Director of Multicultural Theatre - WMU

Special Thanks to Lisa Densmore of Reclamations for providing the leadership for the event. Event Sponsors: Constructive Community Builders, Inc. , New Horizon Village Learning Center Reclamations, WGVU Public TV & Radio & YWCA Kalamazoo. Artwork by local artists: Leroy Densmore, Marvin Robinson, and Marcellus Watkins

Visit: PBS Companion Website : View Film Clips / Access Study Guides / Use Other Resources

2009-03-05T13:37:00.145-05:00

Film Screening & Discussion
"Traces of the Trade:
A Story from the Deep North"

Official Selection of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival

A P.O.V. FilmMarch 26, 2009 5:30-8pm
Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts - Grand Rapids

Follows Filmmaker Katrina Browne as she comes to terms with a troubling discovery - her New England Ancestors were the largest slave trading family in U.S. History.

Photos from the Event

View a Preview of the Film

After the film, Katrina Browne and world renowned artist Paul Collins engaged in a conversation with the audience facilitated by John Van Regenmorter of Bethany Christian Services, a partner in the Campaign for Love & Forgiveness. Artwork by Paul Collins was on display.

" We are the World, We are the Future" by Paul Collins
Courtesy Collins Fine Art

2009-02-11T20:32:01.206-05:00

About The Campaign for Love & Forgiveness

(Left: Students at Grand Valley State University talking about the physical and psychological benefits of forgiving themselves & others - April 2008)

A partnership between WGVU and several other west Michigan organizations is one of only seven sites nationwide chosen to be part of The Campaign for Love & Forgiveness, a four year, grant funded initiative of the Fetzer Institute

This outreach project uses group conversations, community events, documentaries, and online resources to encourage discussion about how love and forgiveness can bring meaningful change to individuals and society. Local partners include Bethany Christian Services, Grand Valley State University, Gryphon Place, Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Rotary, and The Season of Forgiveness.

During the past two years groups who participated in conversations include college students, refugees from Africa, and women in transition. Due to their life journeys, these participants had much to gain, and also much to teach the broader community. In some cases, participants had suffered tremendous pain in their lives and were dealing with issues of unforgiveness.

(Above: Film Screening & Discussion of the PBS Documentary, The Power of Forgiveness, which took place at the Kalamazoo Public Library in May 2008). View Clips from The Power of Forgiveness

This project offers conversations for the general public. In Kalamazoo, a series was held at the Kalamazoo Public Library. Bethany Christian Services sponsored a lunch time series for many of its 200 employees. GVSU's Counseling Center, and residence halls piloted the use of “conversation starter cards,” a new resource, enabling a single person, couple, or entire group to discuss the benefits of forgiving oneself or another.

In 2010 a new partner will help us explore whether some acts are unforgivable? She is Tova Friedman (left) a child survivor of the Holocaust featured in the WGVU award winning documentary, Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah.

Tova at the Holocaust Memorial Center showing her tattoo while standing in front of a photo of her taken when she was 6 years old at the liberation of Auschwitz 1945

Interview with Tova on the NBC Today Show

WGVU Documentary

Do you have comments, suggestions, or

want to get involved ?

Contact:

Steve Chappell, Project Manager
Call: (616) 331-6505
Email: chappels@gvsu.edu
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/chap1
Project Website: http://www.wgvu.org/loveandforgive

SUPPORT WGVU :
http://www.wgvu.org/support/