Getting a jump on New Year's resolutions . . .
12.17.04 (12:14 pm) [edit]It can be hard to say you are sorry. Especially when you didn't mean to hurt someone's feelings. I have learned that it is more important to apologize, than to explain why you did something. That is really hard for me! I always feel like I have a reason (or that I didn't mean to hurt someone) and after I say I am sorry, I should explain why I did something. But that is not always a good idea. It can trivialize someone's pain. For anyone I have done that to, please forgive me.
On to a more intriguing topic - If I had to a “do-over” what would I use it for? (Like, one thing or situation that you could repeat and possibly have different results.) Hmm, I think I would go back to when I was young (junior high) and start reading my Bible everyday and KEEP doing it. That is something that is very hard for me to do. Even when I know how awesome I feel afterwards and how much it helps me love others. If I started that daily habit at that young age, hopefully it would continue for my whole life. But I guess it is never too late to start a new chapter of your life.
What would you use a do-over for?
posted by: Chuck (reply)
post date: 12.17.04 (1:31 pm)
Hmm...hard to argue against Bible study, but isn't that like thousands of do-overs? I mean, just doing it over again one time when you forgot to read wouldn't work, right?
I don't know what I would do over...maybe spend less time vegging by myself and more time developing meaningful relationships.
posted by: Aaron (reply)
post date: 12.18.04 (9:45 am)
New Years isn't about do-overs, it's about now-overs! Both reading the Bible more and developing more meaningful relationships are good goals, but saying you wish you'd done that more in the past misses (or at least obscures) the point that you've got a chance to do them NOW! The past certinally does affect the present, but there's no need for us to felt bound by it. We are free.
As for me, I'm going to spend more time writing. and loving, too! there's always more time for love.
posted by: hopie26 (reply)
post date: 12.18.04 (11:03 pm)
Reply to: Aaron
Thanks for the comments Aaron. Making changes NOW is definitely important, but looking back and understanding the mistakes you made is the first step to change. If you never admit your problems or mistakes you have nothing to change!
Looking at the past - I believe that God lets us make errors to learn from them and empathize with others.
But you are totally right in that we are free indeed! So let us use our freedom wisely this Christmas season.
posted by: SparklingSnow (reply)
post date: 12.22.04 (5:54 am)
Hope- hmmm- great post!
I, too, also seem to have excuses - like somehow I can reason away why I did or said something that hurt somebody- but you're right, the pain I've caused is real, and I have a hard time facing up to it- it hurts me so much to know how much I've hurt others. I have a really hard time apologizing, and that's something I'm trying to work on.
I agree that our past experiences and hurts help us relate to others and help them get through their own situations. It's important to share what we've gone through. I am also seeing more and more that every day IS a new day, and that it is possible to start over or try again, and succeed, even if I've failed w/ it in the past! Hurray for God and second and millionth chances!