I don't know if I have ever felt remorse, but I've definitely felt regret. I have several formerly close friends/former love interests who no longer speak to me. The first couple times it happened were particularly heart breaking. I was just starting to realize that I was different, but reckless about it still and a little in denial about the extent of the difference. To one I even confessed that I had a tendency to treat people in my life like paper napkins -- use them all up and then dispose of them. I didn't really mind being different back then, but I already understood how toxic it could be to others. One particular old incident still haunts me. I had a rocky friendship with someone I admired a great deal. A long school trip coincided with our most recent fight, and we had to spend time together on a bus. At one point in the trip we were stopped and I watched my friend get off the bus. I looked out the window and saw the person engaged in an impromptu game with classmates. Taking advantage of the moment, I rifled through my friend's belongings and found a personal notebook/journal. I was so desperate to know what my friend thought of me that I immediately starting skimming it. Less than a minute later i looked out the window and couldn't see my friend anywhere. I panicked, threw the notebook down on the ground, and started running for the bus door where I encountered the friend. Trying to distract and buy myself time, I playfully tackled my friend to the floor. My friend was charmed by the playful gesture and seemed willing to reconcile. Once my friend looked over and saw the journal on the ground, however, I knew it was all over. I'd never seen hatred like that in someone's eyes before. I knew in an instant what I had done and what it had cost me.
I don't blame people for hating me. I hate myself a little. Not everything destructive in my life was my fault or anything I would have done differently, but some of it I deeply regret.
This could really happen to anybody - to peek at someone's private journal is very tempting (and assuredly not the worse thing a person can do to another), although may feel like betrayal to a close friend. I sense a trace of conscience in you which I commend. I am a super "empath" who also regrets many people abandoning me, but at least you know why it happens to you and can try to change the behavior. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, less mature and less thoughtful, I managed to completely devastate my relationships with two of my closest friends. I regret losing them, though I understand that we'd have drifted apart anyway - they were excellent companionship.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame them for the part they played because I cannot blame them. I find the empath-bashing a bit distasteful typically, but blaming them would be like blaming a cat for scratching you when backed into a corner. It's just the only way it knows how to react. I blame myself only.
For almost a year after it happened, intertwined with that regret was rage at myself for allowing it to happen. For being so careless and out of control of the situation. The whole thing forced me to re-evaluate many of my interactions. I am at least grateful I benefited from my regret.
PS: If this comment sounds retarded, I'm running on no sleep and can't possibly elucidate my thoughts in any reasonable fashion.
How can you feel regret if you have no conscience?
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