Monday Meditation: No Apologies, No Regrets

There once was a television series entitled, "Lost." It ran from 2004-2010. One character in particular, Mr. Eko, had a profound effect on a paradigm shift for me. According to his story arc, he had lived a hard life growing up in Nigeria, trying to feed and protect his little brother. He was forcibly recruited by Nigerian guerillas in order to protect his brother, Yemi. He became a drug smuggler and warlord. Yemi became a Catholic priest. Eko attempted to smuggle drugs out of Nigeria using the cover of being a priest, and Yemi ended up getting shot and killed for it. Eko takes over Yemi's position as a priest as a way of making it up to his brother.

 Eko, at the end of his life, is confronted by his dead brother's spirit and asked to confess his sins.

Eko says something profound:

 "I ask for no forgiveness, father, for I have not sinned, I have only done what I needed to do to survive. A small boy once asked me if I was a bad man, if I could answer him now I would tell him, that when I was a young boy I killed a man to save my brother's life. I am not sorry for this, I am proud of this. I did not ask for the life that I was given, but it was given none the less, and with it, I did my best. "

I want you to re-read that. I want you to contemplate that for your own life. Many of us have regrets; poor decisions that affected the lives of others as well as ourselves; wishing we had taken a different road; wishing we hadn't wasted time; wishing we had lived a fuller life, etc... Many people will say, "I have no regrets. Everything that has happened has made me who I am today." And, I applaud you- if you're being truly honest and not hiding behind a mask. If you are hiding, then I want to give you a way to take it off, be genuine, and face those regrets right now.

I want you to stop and think about Eko's words. You did not choose the life you were given, and I believe that you have done your best to survive. There are many things you have accomplished for which you are proud. You have done what you needed to do. You have done your best.

You have nothing to confess, nothing for which you need forgiveness. Drop the baggage. Let it go. No more apologies, no more regrets. It is time for you to heal, to move on and to continue to do your best.

Live free from those things in your past that weigh you down, and make you feel "less than".. you have nothing to confess. Be proud of who you are, and LIVE.

Sláinte!