Radical Forgiveness - An Interesting Candid Conversation With Rev T. Baudier

The second interview I have lined up for Candid Conversations is really interesting. I contacted Reverand Theresa Baudier. She is planning to hold a series of workshops on the subject of forgiveness. Called Radical Forgiveness these workshops will tackle the question of forgiveness and how it can really change lives. Reverend Baudier welcome to Candid Conversations, I think this is a very interesting topic given what’s going on in the USA. SOME, and frankly around the world.

Cliff T.: what is Radical Forgiveness?

Rev Baudier.: Radical Forgiveness is a powerful leading-edge methodology for personal and spiritual growth. It was created by Colin Tipping, a popular author, teacher, consultant and spiritual leader.

To explain Radical Forgiveness, we need to compare it to Traditional Forgiveness:

· They are based on two entirely different perspectives in two different “worlds”.

· Traditional forgiveness is the willingness to give up resentment or to pardon and absolve. It grants relief from an expected payment (as in debt forgiveness). It is rooted in the three-dimensional world of everyday reality. You can forgive someone; yet, still feel like a victim with a need to condemn their wrong.

· Radical forgiveness also starts with the willingness to give up resentment but goes beyond and is rooted in the metaphysical world, which is the Spirit world of Divine Truth. Radical forgiveness eliminates the need to condemn and the victim consciousness is dropped.

· Traditional and Radical forgiveness are different – one is not inferior to the other. We look at them through different lenses or viewpoints. In fact, we must use traditional forgiveness to get to radical forgiveness because we are constantly moving from the world of humanity to the world of spirit. The world of humanity is the world of form and vibrates at a low frequency. The world of Divine Truth is the world of spirit and vibrates at a high frequency.

Cliff T.: Why now, what prompted the decision to create a series of workshops about forgiveness?

Rev Baudier.: I believe at the root of all our problems, we have forgotten who we truly are. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. In today’s world, we are all too focused on the human experience and forget our spiritual nature. It is almost like we’re having a massive identity crisis which leads people to be depressed, frustrated, angry, sad and aggrieved. These emotions impact our health, well-being, and interpersonal relationships.

Everyone has been hurt at some point in their lives (sometimes seriously victimized and often in minor ways). The “victim” role is deeply ingrained and holds a false power over our consciousness. To break free, we must do something radically different – something that is so compelling and spiritually liberating that it sweeps us out of victim-hood. It is essential that we transform and adopt a new way of thinking that is not based on fear, control and abuse of power, but on true forgiveness, unconditional love and peace of mind.

We must learn how to forgive the world, each other and ourselves if we want to find joy. We all long for PEACE of MIND.

Cliff T.: My understanding and experience with forgiveness is that it’s a process. Are the workshops you are doing intended to help people begin the journey to forgiving?

Rev Baudier.: Yes. I expect some will attend out of pure curiosity. Some may have specific issuing that are burning them up right now. Some may have a whole slew of people to forgive. Some may struggle with self-forgiveness which is in a class of its own.

The workshop is designed to help people identify their forgiveness opportunities and use the Radical Forgiveness tools to begin to unravel their emotions and see the issue through a spiritual lens.

There are five stages of Radical Forgiveness:

1. Telling the Story.

2. Feeling the Feelings.

3. Collapsing the Story.

4. Re-framing the Story.

5. Integration.

There are four steps of Radical Forgiveness:

1. Look what I created.

2. I notice my judgement's and love myself for having them.

3. I am willing to see the perfection in the situation.

4. I choose the power of peace.

Cliff T.: There a series of these that you are doing. What is going to be covered? 

Rev Baudier.: There are three workshops:

1st Workshop: (Monday, February 18th 7-8:30 PM, Prayer Room)

Forgiveness as we experience it in the world: We will examine this form of withholding punishment. For example: “Although you were really bad, and I didn’t like what you did, I’m going to give you another chance. I’ll forgive you “this” time, and not punish you right now, because I am a better person than you. But I’m watching you, mister!” We end up punishing others and ourselves anyway.

2nd Workshop: (Monday, February 25th 7-8:30 PM, Prayer Room)

Forgiveness by Understanding, we will reach to experience “walking a mile in another person’s shoes”. We can start to recognize that if we were in the exact same situation, with the same experience, and the same knowledge as that person, that we would have made the same choice as they did at the time. We aim to learn to forgive ourselves and others by understanding the choice we/they made.

3rd Workshop: (Monday, March 4th 7-8:30 PM, Prayer Room)

Forgiveness by Grace (True Forgiveness). We will use affirmations to shift our thinking to how God sees each of us. At our true core, we are all perfect fragments of God, and that is what He sees in us. God is Perfect Love. As he looks upon each of us, he sees Himself shining back at Him.

Cliff T.: These sessions will be held Mondays on February 18 and 25, and March 4, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Prayer Room at Unity of Delray Beach Church, 101 NW 22nd. St., Delray Beach Florida. Reverend Baudier, as a minister this subject must really hit home. What’s your take on the importance of forgiveness? 

Rev Baudier.: I believe forgiveness is the key to happiness. It enables us to close chapters in our lives that were based on suffering and loss. When we view the world through a spiritual lens, as opposed to a three-dimensional or worldly lens, we see that loss is impossible and anger is insanity. Our worlds become more like heaven – a place of joy, abundance, charity and endless giving. 

Cliff T.: Besides helping people begin the journey toward forgiveness what else do you want people to get from the workshops? 

Rev Baudier.: To identify their biggest forgiveness opportunity and develop a personal intention (plan) to grow spiritually.
To meet other like-minded people and share experiences.

To join our minds with the Mind of God and to see the world with Christ’s Vision. 

Cliff T.: Will you be doing follow up sessions and offering other services or referrals for counselling?
Rev Baudier.: Absolutely, Unity of Delray Beach offers a wide variety of spiritual workshops and counselling. 

Cliff T.: Well, Reverend Baudier I do think this an excellent idea thanks for sharing this with the candid Conversations reader community. 

Rev Baudier.: Thank you, Cliff. Peace to you and your readers. Let all the world be blessed with peace through us.

Reverend Baudier is an interfaith minister based in Delray Beach FL, she wrote to us from this location.

Karen Wiand takes us on a fast Journey featuring Fast Freddie

I am very pleased to start 2019 off with a really interesting interview here on Candid Conversations.  I came across a press release for a book called A Course in Fun with Fast Eddie and I was wondering, what’s this about.  I reached out to author Karen Wiand to ask that very question and she is our virtual guest on Candid Conversations.

Karen welcome to Candid Conversations

Karen W.: Thanks for having me here!

Cliff T.: Who is Eddie and how did he connect with you?

Karen W.: Fast Eddie is a man with an intellectual disability that I have known since I was 8 years old.  We grew up as neighbors in Carson City, Michigan.  We lost touch when I moved away, although I always wondered how he was.  I found him again living in an adult foster care home about an hour away from my home now, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Cliff T.: in the press release it’s noted that you got disconnected then you found each other again.  How did that happen and were you surprised that you were able to reconnect with Freddie?

Karen W.: We became disconnected by the process of growing up.  I went off to college and he stayed with his parents in Carson City.  I was surprised to find Eddie living so close to me after so many years, and was eager to see him again.

Cliff T.: Certainly an intellectual disability has unique challenges.  How did you and others around you deal with misconceptions and any outright discrimination you and Eddie came up against?

Karen W.: Growing up, we were Eddie’s warriors.  He came to us for support, and we were his greatest defenders.  In return, he supported us just as much. He was just like a brother.

Cliff T.: Did you become fast friends with Freddie or, did you build on your relationship with him?

Karen W.: I met Eddie the day we moved into our house down the street from his family.  My father purchased property from his parents and that’s where we built our home.  I recall seeing a teenager at the property during the building process, but didn’t know who it was.

Cliff T.: Being a person with a disability myself, vision wise, I have found through the years that many friends, the good close ones have forgotten the disability. I have to say that is refreshing, is this the case with you and Eddie?

Karen W.: I am happy to say that I don’t see Eddie’s disability.  I see his wisdom.

Cliff T.: The book, sounds very interesting as a read, the title caught my attention.  Is this a view from Eddie’s vantage point or what you have learned from him?

Karen W.: It is the top ten things I have learned from him.  There are many more.

Cliff T.: What is the goal with the book, what do you want readers to take away?

Karen W.: My goal with this book is to remind us that we all have a role to play in this lifetime.  Each one of us are here to fulfill a purpose, whatever it is, and if we follow the magical lives of those with disabilities, intellectual, in Eddie’s case, we can enjoy ourselves so much more; and at the same time, can see the value in everyone else.

Cliff T.: From what I see this is your first book that is so awesome.  What was the genesis of the book, or shall I say why and what prompted you to select Eddie as the subject or focal point of the book?

Karen W.: When I reconnected with Eddie, I started making weekly visits to see him, to get him out of the hole he was living in.  The adult foster care home was really awful.  After a month or so of visits, I sat at my computer and started making a list of the things Eddie had already taught me.  The list had reached 50 things.  I thought that I would send it to my siblings as a Christmas gift, but then the idea of a book sounded more appropriate.  I went with it.

Cliff T.: What kinds of reactions are you getting from this book?

Karen W.: Very positive feedback.  People are looking for stories that make them feel better in these strange times.

Cliff T.: Speaking of reaction what was Eddie’s?

Karen W.: Eddie is so excited.  We had business cards made for him with the book cover image, and he passes them out like he’s a proud grandfather.  He also hand 

wrote the title chapters.  His energy is definitely in this book.

Cliff T.: This looks like it is a fun book to read I won’t ask for any spoilers, but will say it looks like this book will warm the heart of the reader.

Karen W.: It is heartwarming.  And so much fun.

Cliff T.: Karen thank you so very much for doing a Candid Conversation.

Karen W.:  It was a pleasure!  My best to you!

A little about Karen Wiand. She is a first-time author and full-time believer in our personal power to create miracles. She has enjoyed many experiences through her career, first as an art director and producer and later as a residential designer and builder in Birmingham, Michigan. She enjoys tagging along with Eddie and his friends around Traverse City. Thanks to them she has an insider's view of the special talents and needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Her website http://karenwiand.com/

Karen wrote to us from Bloomington Hills MI

2019 and we are back

Candid Conversations is back.

2019, jumping back into the thick of it.  Yes I will be posting again to the site.

I will be setting up interviews for February and onward.  I want to take a moment to thank those who follow, visit and spread the word about the site, amazingly this site does get traffic.  THANKS it's really appreciate.

Come back in February and look for interviews posted on the site.

C. T.