He mentions how golfer Tom Watson admits he lost his chance to be the oldest person to win the British Open. Watson did not blame his caddy, his clubs or the weather. He took personal responsibility for his loss.
Watson likely would not be sued for malpractice, however.
The issue Santa raises is more than admitting mistakes. It is a wide-ranging urge on most people’s part to dodge responsibility.
If a kid is a brat in third grade, the parents may make various excuses to the teacher. There are good reasons given for bad behavior. A strong one that often goes unmentioned is a parent that will not make the kid responsible for his or her conduct.
Go to a courtroom and hear the litany of why the defendant did something criminal.
Only rarely does one assume accountability. One can hardly imagine someone admitting they did something, on their own, that turned out badly.
Ask a police officer how many people admit to running a stop sign because they just didn’t obey the law. Usually, people argue that the sun was in their eyes, the sign was partially covered or there was something else outside of their control.
Rarely do you overhear those wonderful words: “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
Confession, it is said, is good for the soul. It is also a powerful way to cement relationships and trust within community.
No one is perfect, and we really do not expect other people to be perfect. We want them to do their best and be honest.
It is only fair that I go first.
My copy editors know I cannot spell worth a damn. As a child, I suffered from astigmatism (violins in the background). The bad educators in Illinois schools dropped phonics and went to sight-reading just as I got there (timpani heard). I have labored to spell, but it has been a terrible uphill battle.
The truth is that I did not care. I chose TV or playing baseball over studying spelling.
That is not the only way in which I am imperfect, but now it is your turn to confess.
• Mike McLellan can be contacted by calling and leaving a message at 830-4201 or e-mailing him at DrMikeM@sbcglobal.net.
You don't to read Sartre unless your idea of hell is sitting in a closed room with three copy editors.