Repentance is good but innocence is better

We all make mistakes; do things we regret later. When the consequences of our actions or words hit home we feel remorse and wish our ways had been different. We can repent, say we are sorry, and try to make amends.

How genuinely sorry are we? Sorry for what we did or feeling sorry for ourselves because we have to suffer the fall out? The purpose of emotional pain is to teach us a lesson: we act wrongly and suffer the result. Sometimes we suffer when it is not our fault, or it does not seem to be, but we often have no choice in these circumstances other than to adopt a philosophical attitude and struggle on.

Trying to understand the complexities of cause and effect is very difficult. Is it possible for any of us to lead a totally innocent life in a competitive world?

Innocence is not always enough to prevent harm coming your way but in many cases it does help to put the odds in your favor.