From The Daily Dialogue
From The Daily Dialogue
Broadcast of 9/16/98
Subject: [DailyDialogue #260] Self-righteousness
"In politics, as between persons, nothing is more false or damaging to human relations than self-righteousness." - Donald W. Shriver, Jr.
In referring to the Holocaust, national leader Richard Freiherr von Weizacker said "whoever closes his eyes to the past becomes blind to the present". Presidents tend to find it difficult to admit defeat or error. In my first marriage, I thought my lack of faithfulness was justifiable.
We think war is just if a country has wronged us. My parents used to say "two wrongs don't make a right." Jesus suggested that we not cast stones at others unless we ourselves are perfect.
Shriver says that "we remember the past in order not to repeat it". I confess that my past behavior damaged my marriage. It resulted in a heart breaking divorce, something which I am determined never to repeat. The memory reminds me each day of my commitment to repent, meaning to "rethink" what creates a healthy relationship.
Experiment: Confess to your partner how you have acted in ways that have damaged your current or past relationships.
Affirmation: I accept my past as the springboard that catapulted me into a higher level of consciousness.
The Daily Dialogue is published each day of 1998 by e-mail. Copyright 1998, Eddy Brame and Marty Crouch, All rights reserved.
