Move On

Guilt is a feeling that many people experience, one time or another. Although it is understandable to feel remorse for an action that you believe caused pain to another, yet you should make some considerations before giving in to "guilt". Anthony de Mello (a Jesuit priest!) used to say that being sorry for a past mistake is positive, provided you endeavor to learn from it and decide not to repeat it. But he also said that guilt is totally negative because, while you think you hate your deed, in truth you hate yourself for having committed such an action. But hating yourself is a grave error because you are still a good person who just made a wrong decision. As no-one is perfect you, too, are entitled to mess up a bit. A famous Latin proverb says, "Errare humanum est" (= to err is human) but it also adds, "perseverare diabolicum" (= to persevere in your error is evil). Therefore... acknowledge your action, feel sorry for it, promise yourself not to do it again and then... move on!

P.T.

I am still a big fan of Positive Thinking, but I have re-visited and reflected upon the conception some people have of it or, better, the way some people try to explain it to others. The hit film and book "The Secret" tried to make you believe the following: you only have to ask the Universe for what you want in order to receive it, it is enough to look at a banknote long enough in order to get rich, and the like. Well, after studying and applying the principles of Positive Thinking for a very long time, my conclusion is that the function of such principles, when used properly, is only to help you cope with the problems, challenges and disappointments you experience in your life. Nothing really changes thanks to them. "Change happens", as the old saying goes, and the control you have over it is minimal. 

A Trial

Although I am not a follower of talk shows, yet I recently had the chance to watch a few episodes of a TV program where two people present their case and a judge makes the final decision, after the audience expressed its opinions. One thing has struck me (and still does!): the fact that spectators (both in the studio and at home) have the tendency to sympathize with the contender who shows fewer morally sound principles. Wondering why it is so, the answer I found is that nowadays people feel the need to rebel against any so-called authority, including in such idea morality as well, (which seems now an old-fashioned, almost obsolete principle). But this is the way it is, take it or leave it. I honestly feel like... leaving it. What about you?

Results

Here is a logical, yet "illogical" expression: "I didn't deserve what happened to me". It is logical because you know you haven't done anything to make such an unpleasant event to materialize. On the contrary. You truly believe you have done your best to avoid it. So, how does it work, here? The reality is that it "doesn't", i.e. it doesn't work the way you expect. The physical world is regulated by strictly mathematical laws, yet what happens to us does not seem to follow such rule. Although two plus two always makes four, you can never be certain that your actions will always yield the results that your mind suggests as the logical consequence. Therefore you (I, everybody) 1. must accept the fact that the outcome is never sure, 2. do what you can and 3. ... hope for the best.

Who Are You?

An interesting question: Who are you?

You may answer, "I am John/Anna..." But this is your name.

You may say, "I am a doctor/a taxi driver..." But this is your job.

"I am Mr. X's wife/Mrs.Y's husband..." But this is your marital status.

"I am American/Chinese..." But this is your nationality. 

And so on.

Instead of giving a "definition" of your being, can you try to identify its "essence"?

A Big Gap

I was recently watching some documentaries by a well-known scientist and author, late Carl Sagan. Hearing about the greatness of the cosmos, being reminded of the fascinating story of how Earth and Life came about, I thought of the huge gap existing between such a grandiosity (in which mankind exists) and violent, petty behaviors of human beings, "us". I experienced a feeling of inadequacy, a realization of how badly the so-called homo sapiens is making use of his millions-of-years-long evolutionary story. A brain appeared, a spirit manifested... for what? To give birth to all the violence and pettiness we see? How sad! 

Only if more "awareness" is achieved, on a larger scale, may we hope for a more peaceful world. 

People Change

People change, we all know that. Have "you" changed? (since you were younger, in the last few years, recently)? Why have you changed? It is clear that our transformation is the result of both our own experiences and natural predisposition. As usual, there is never an established rule in the human behavior and, in fact, there are some individuals who never change, no matter what. But, in general, life molds the character, for the better or for the worse. Some people who used to be tough and bossy sometimes mellow down because they succeed in seeing the world from a different perspective. Unfortunately, it also happens the opposite, i.e. individuals who used to be sweet and pleasant turn into aggressive, hurtful, malicious beings. Is this  "natural"? No-one knows. It's just the reality of the human condition.