In the pit of self-loathing

Years ago, I used to walk to work.  This took around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on weather conditions and any pit stops along the way. One day, I stopped at Tim Hortons for a coffee and a muffin before heading to the office. When I arrived, I realized that I had lost an envelope containing $300, which was roughly a third of my rent money at the time. I retraced my steps back to Tim Hortons, but I couldn’t find the envelope anywhere. I asked one of the crew members if someone had found it, but no one had reported anything.

I felt disappointed and worried about how my wife would react when I told her what had happened. However, when I did tell her, she was surprisingly understanding. She comforted me, saying that maybe someone needed the money more than we did.

We all make mistakes, some more significant than others, and they can directly impact those we love and care for. When we know we are at fault, we can become overly critical of ourselves and sink into despair. We anticipate others’ negative responses and expect them to bury us in criticism.

But my wife recognized that I was already in a pit of self-loathing and didn’t need anyone to bury me further. Instead, she threw me a rope and pulled me out of my pit with grace and selfless love. Her act of kindness and understanding was something I will always be grateful for.

It’s essential to remember that we are all human, and we will make mistakes. When a loved one comes to you and admits their error, will you bury them or help them out of their pit? Let’s choose to show compassion and grace, just as my wife did for me.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *