Mistakes and Repentences

 

To sigh, yet not recede; to grieve, yet not repent!

n      George Crabbe

 

When an individual makes a mistake, or commits a major error, what would be the natural progression from the conduction of the act to the consequences that follow the act? I personally feel, as my reflections of the numerous mistakes I have committed in my entire lifetime have brought to me, that there is an order in which all this is carried out.

 

Thoughts before an action is conducted à the actual deed is done à the immediate feeling of success and happiness at having achieved what was forbidden à the slow realization that what was done was a mistake à the need to be sorry and to repent à the feeling that that would make one a failure à and the final stoical acceptance that what was done was a mistake, and one where the acceptance and repentance of the mistake is forbidden.

 

Let alone my miniscule self; was it this that happened to the forefathers of mankind? Imagine Adam and Eve, in their pleasure trove, enjoying all the fruits that the Lord had bestowed upon them. And yet, there was not complete peace…the Golden Apple was elusive…something much desired and yearned for, and something that was forbidden and unachievable!

 

Just by some freak chance of nature, and the incitement of something evil, the two purest people in the world were tempted to taste of the fruit. The thoughts of fear (of being rebuked for the mistake) and awe (at their own temerity to be attempting to do something forbidden) must have combined to egg them on to conduct the awful deed.

 

And, what must have followed? Rejoicing at the fact that the fruit was now in their hands, to be tasted at their own will? But naturally…don’t we all feel the same when we do something that we have been expressly asked not to?

 

Well…so the deed was done, and the immediate fruit enjoyed. What next? Ah! The fruit begins to show its true colours and the effects of having had it begin to manifest themselves. And that brings to the mind of the erstwhile pure the profundity of their error.

 

But what do they do? Nothing. Why? Because nothing is to be done. A deed once done is done – it is like an arrow that is shot out of the bow…it goes out, never to return to the quiver. And if ever to return, bloodied and changed. Which is worse than not returning.

 

So, the pure accept that they have done a deed and feel that they have to repent, to be penitent for their sin – the one and only ‘Original Sin’. But something stops them. What? Something akin to ego, something that tells them that acceptance of their fault would make them look even sillier than the actual act itself. Wouldn’t the Lord laugh when they fell to their knees and were remorseful for their actions? That wouldn’t feel so nice, would it?!

 

So, fear of the double failure makes them accept their fate. They know that there is nothing to be done anymore, and so they stoically accept whatever their actions have brought upon them. Expulsion from Eden and into a world of sorrow and pain, grief and sin and everything negative and evil was accepted without a word of complaint….after all it was what they deserved for their deed.

 

But, had they once repented their action, just one time put their head down and begged for forgiveness, who would have had the heart to not forgive them……or even if not forgive, to let them off with a lighter punishment than the one inflicted because of not having repented?! Well……it is true, I guess, that …..

Of all acts of man repentance is the most divine.

n      Thomas Carlyle

 

 

Reviews

[Tai Chi Italy]

I found this an interesting read and I agree that too many souls spend their lives in guilt ridden torment for things that have occurred in the past, which they are sorry happened. The world would be a much lighter and brighter place, if we could just forgive those who trespass against us and most importantly ourselves. Thanks for sharing, smiling at you, Tai

[Candle in the wind]

Arrows shot from the quiver are never meant to return.If they do they have boomeranged.If they hit target may or may not be good.If they get lost in pursuit even then its better then to let them rust in the quiver.

[Candle in the wind]

I identify with this so intensely.Repentence is divine no doubt and so often our ego doesn't allow us to say we were wrong or say we are sorry.But then I still am not sure if it is worth regretting specially if you follow your heart no matter what the price or pain.Moreover some loving souls tell me "so what if you didnt do the smartest possible thing or weren't practical.Atleast you were true to yourself."