rhymes with lament

I've become reacquainted with an old word, "Repent". Well… actually, I've developed a new understanding of the word, and I'm not talking about the biblical definition and use of repent, but about the use of it in everyday moments when you realize you've done something wrong, it's kind of a fancy way of saying, "Oops! I messed up. I'll do better next time." However, repentance is more than just messing up and saying sorry , but it’s a full understanding that repentance is an important step in growing as a person and becoming the best version of ourselves.

The etymology of the word repentance is the from the Greek work metanoia - to think differently, to change one's mind, to change one's ways, a reorientation, and a fundamental transformation of outlook. Repentance is a moment of self-awareness and self-realization that can be both humbling and empowering. When we repent, we make a conscious decision to learn from our mistakes and do better next time. We recognize our imperfections and strive to become better people – not just for ourselves, but for the people around us. A sincere apology is a great start, but true repentance requires action to make amends and put things right in our lives. It takes time, effort, and commitment to make a lasting change, but it's worth the investment. Repentance isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be hard either so don't beat yourself up, this is not about self-flagellation — it’s about taking it one step at a time to make changes, even if it takes a few tries, remember: when you repent, you are showing yourself (and anyone else who may have been affected) that you are capable of growth and transformation, and that is the beauty of it .

Repentance is about understanding why something was wrong and then making a conscious effort not to do it again, it’s an intentional shift in perspective and lifestyle, which requires commitment and perseverance if we want to see real transformation. That's why we need to be careful not to take repentance lightly; there are real consequences for our actions and only through true repentance can we truly make things right. If you ever find yourself in the wrong, don't just say sorry – think about what made it wrong and why it was wrong. Repentance is not just the act of remorse, it’s a lifestyle change, and to do this you may need to change your environment, maybe change the people around you, take full responsibility for your actions, and in some cases asking for help from a professional. Ultimately, repentance is an act of love that shows how much we value ourselves and our relationships with others. It's a powerful tool for transformation and growth. 

So let’s bring it back ! Let's use it more often, and make it part of our everyday lives.

Hope this helps!