Posted by Dinah on December 24, 2002, at 22:11:33
In reply to The saga continues...Chapter 2, posted by Miller on December 24, 2002, at 20:40:00
I can understand why you feel vulnerable. It's really brave of you to open so much of yourself.
Miller, in so many places on this board, you've described your feelings of guilt and shame. Do you really think you are the same person now that you were then? A truly bad person wouldn't beat themselves up about their history. You say you've done things you're ashamed of. Would you do your best not to do the same things again? If you commit not to do the same things again, you've done everything you need for repentence, since you've already accepted responsibility and expressed remorse. I guess I'm treading close to being redirected to the Faith board here, but the Jewish religion considers it an obligation to forgive someone who is truly repentent. And my understanding of repentence is the three R's, remorse, responsibility, repair. That obligation would extend to forgiving yourself.
I don't know if what I say would mean anything, because you already know my position on shame. No one is past redemption. The past is past, and who you are now is what matters. Who you choose to become is what matters. You haven't been here long, but what I've seen of you on the boards is a person I like. Nothing you've told of your past would change that.
Now I'll leave you alone on the subject. (And sorry.)
poster:Dinah
thread:33940
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021218/msgs/33957.html