Podcast show notes:
Slam the Gavel welcomes Dr. Mark David Roseman and Ann O’Keeffe Rodgers on the show to discuss the much needed topic of Forgiveness throughout the Holidays/Christmas.
The subject of Parental Alienations is so counterintuitive, which is why forgiveness is very important. We must forgive ourselves first, then others in situations including flying monkeys, relatives and bystanders.
Modern examples of forgiveness: Viktor Frankl, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Sophie Scholl, Nelson Mandela, Imaculee Iligabiza, Rachel Muha. Forgiveness Therapy, written by Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons as well as the imperative in the Our Father prayer about forgiveness.
During the Christmas holidays, Christians turn their focus toward the bursting of God into the world, and how His birth ultimately led toHis death which is also counterintuitive.
That’s precisely why alienated parents, especially those who are Christian, can take the holidays as a journey, albeit painful at times because we are not with our children and can use forgiveness as a guide post, so as not to fall into a pit of depression, anger and misery. To use the approach of Viktor Frankl, ‘to take that opportunity of suffering to lead to a greater good.’