mea culpa

People often like to defend themselves with long-winded statements and phrases that justify their actions. A long, drawn-out confession can take hours and say absolutely nothing of any value. The brilliance is in the simplicity: "I was wrong. I am sorry. Forgive me." Perhaps we like to complicate things to hide the wretched truth.

But what is forgiveness? I used to think it was simply saying, "it's okay, forget about it" or "it's no big deal". But it's not about minimizing the harm by somehow tricking yourself to thinking that it wasn't a big deal. False. It was a big deal, and it hurt me in unspeakable ways, but knowing that full well, I still forgive you.

starting fresh

hear Me
cease to speak
that I may speak
shush now

lost in complication

It's been said that those who are smart can take a complex subject matter and simplify it, and those who are not will take a simple subject matter and complicate it.

Take the current financial crisis; the average American is no doubt confused (as I am) about how the bailout will work, what the causes are, and so on. But at its root, it's a simple problem: people are buying stuff they can't afford.

Likewise, I always feel like people cover up their behavior with obscene complications to justify their actions.