Confess. It might be good for you

                                                  Lourdes sign for confession

Carol Forsloff---Most people do bad things, but it's often difficult to admit mistakes that are intentional or not.  Experts tell us, however, to confess errors, bad judgments and even intentional acts, as that confession has its benefits.

Admitting mistakes is an ethical issue that has a number of steps that can help an individual be able to move on from the situation or event where the mistake might have occurred.  It can also help establish good communication so that people who have been hurt might end up forgiving the error, even the intentional ones.

The first step is like everything else an individual wants to omit from his/her behavior, and that's to admit the mistake, the harm that may have occurred and what was done to create the error.  Second, take steps to examine what the issues were and where the mistake was made.  Notify all those people who might be hurt by the mistake, and don't expect forgiveness, but be thorough and open with an explanation.  Then take steps to prevent the mistake from happening again.

We have often heard that we can learn from our mistakes.  There are articles that detail how that learning can take place, but like the steps involved in the ethical issues of admission, what we learn from mistakes is contingent upon admitting our role in creating them, before we can move forward and not repeat the same mistake.

Religious folks tell us confession is good for the soul and mental health experts maintain it is also good for the mind and the body.  A Catholic priest reiterates the value of confession as the time when an individual can admit mistakes and thereby develop self-knowledge.  The conscience is purified, and the soul is strengthened, is the advice.

Scientists have examined the practices of Native Americans and found their confession ceremonies were thought to have both mind and body benefits.  The Native Americans believed confession was a way to purify the mind and body and to do so publicly aided in  purification.  Modern research also supports the healing power of opening up to others about mistakes and bad deeds.

Saying you're wrong and saying you're sorry are the ethics many people teach their children.  It turns out it's good advice not just for children but the rest of us as well.