What is the biggest sin of all? And by sin, I don’t mean religious sin. I simply mean what is the worst, nastiest, ugliest, biggest, “bad” thing we could do during our existence while on this planet. Well, of course, most people would say that murdering someone is the biggest “sin” a human can do. And I would not disagree. Some would say, perhaps, child sexual abuse is the biggest sin as it is a terrible act that keeps giving to a victim sometimes causing lifelong hang-ups. Again, I would not disagree. But, I suggest something else. Something absolutely terrible that happens to a human life.
I believe one of the biggest sins humans can be a part of is to live their lives believing that they are severely limited. Those whom trudge through life in a fog of doubt, fear, deceit and lack of understanding of what life is and really can be are a part of that sin. Before you take a deep breath or a deep sigh thinking that this is silly nonsense; you must listen to me a bit.
A person is born with a relatively clean slate. They may have genetic predispositions in areas but they are clean and generally open like an unused chalk or whiteboard. Things happen to these newly “hatched” humans that help make them become doubtful, fearful, murderous or on the other side of the spectrum; loving or fruitful.
To become a person who is shunted or is twisted in their human possibilities is a catastrophe. You may say, what! A catastrophe! Bad perhaps, but a catastrophe, nah! Why that bad? We all have that to a degree, don’t we?
Well, we all do have it to a degree and quite often it is fine. A valid part of lives is to strive for bettering ourselves. But someone much smarter and more famous than me said life is a matter of degrees. And that is totally true here. Tens of millions of men and women who walk through life are figuratively speaking, chained up from really living, smiling, and producing. So, while a matter of degrees is true, when the degree is over the top it is devastating for productive and solid lives.
To not know that we can be successful in life and by success that could go from a small-time farmer who has just enough for himself yet content at his lot in life to perhaps a big-shot businessman as success is personal and has many variations but to not KNOW that you can basically be what you want to be is a catastrophe. In addition, to be limited or twisted by hang-ups, negative proclivities, hates and fears goes hand in hand with not knowing that you can be different and is a part of that human catastrophe.
How many people marry someone mainly because they believe that is the best life has in store for them? Worse, how many people sell themselves so short that they hook-up with serial cheaters or physical abusers because they believe that’s their lot in life and that’s all they’re good for? How many men and women take jobs they hate because they KNOW they’re not good enough for those “other” jobs? How many men and women never try something new because they don’t believe they have any potential other than just being a malcontent or loser? How many people go through their entire lives taking much less than they could have gotten? How many people do much less than they do in their lives because they simply KNOW that it’s all that they can do? Globally, tens of millions or perhaps hundreds of millions fall into this category. And the majority of mentors, teachers and leaders do not help them understand that human potential is just about unstoppable—for everyone.
I look at so many people who have sold themselves short. People who say that they were raised a certain way. Genetics is what stops them. Or they lie or deny that there is any kind of issue in their behavior. They fill up with booze, pills and addictions. They run, hide and just get by, quite often hurting others in their unhealthy and limited belief in themselves. So many people simply do not believe that they can be what they want to be. They incorrectly believe that the successful people, the happy people, the honest people, the wholesome people who are living fruitful and good lives (and I don’t mean in a moral sense) are different and better than they are.
Human beings can be whatever they want to be. This human tragedy of just barely surviving and all the bad that goes along with that, is not necessary. Men and women who live in a dark, seedy, ugly or hopeless world should not lose heart. They can change and walk in good and true potential. People should know core truths about human potential and they should be helped along that way by real mentors and teachers.
People can be the real self that’s been waiting to blossom like a wild rose after a drenching of sun and fresh water. People must believe that no one is better than they are and that they can be that glimpse of themselves they have sensed just over the rainbow. That they are unlimited in their potential and can be what they want to be.
Steve's a three-time survivor of violence in his youth, a former police supervisor and a graduate of The Police Executive Leadership College (PELC) and was also an award winning part-time college Criminal Justice instructor.
For several years, Steve did written and radio political and current event commentary and was the former host of the long running 'The Kovacs Perspective' Internet radio and TV talk show.
Steve presently owns a small businesses in Ohio--The Mayfield Academy of Self-Defense.
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