WHAT TO DO WITH (THAT) OF THE PAST . . . MINE OR YOURS?

This posting was inspired in part by the current controversy swirling around Van Jones of President Obama’s staff.  Van has expressed his apology for some things said and done in the past.  I am more aware of his extraordinary service to our society across several decades, widely recognized and applauded.  Though we have not met, he has significantly shaped and inspired my own commitment to serve.  I am enormously grateful to him.

Sir Arthur Conon Doyle, creator of the Sherlock Holmes, is said to have sent a telegram to twenty-five prominent Londoners – bankers, business persons, elected officials and clergy among them.  A single line, something like: The truth is out.  Leave the country.  Within twenty-four hours fifteen of the twenty-five were “called away on urgent business,” announced in a variety of plausable ways!

Amusing.  Perhaps apocraphal.  But thought-provoking.  If someone whispered to me, “The truth is out” . . . “I know all about it” . . . “It’s no longer a secret,” I’d likely mutter to myself some version of ”which secret.”  I have said or done things I am not proud of.  One or two illegal.  I could have been arrested.  Some unethical, unfair, unjust.  Some disloyal and betraying.  I am glad none were caught on videotape (as far as I know) – though in some cases I may have left a paper trail.  There could be an incriminating photo or two, now that I think about it.  Those who know seem committed to keeping my secrets.  Maybe I have one on them!  Some I have successfully “forgotten,” while others edge into remembering from time to time, perhaps a touch of guilt in tow.

If the “truth were out” about me, would I keep my job?  Lose some friends?  Lose lots of face?  Would some friends shun me?  Would they murmur behind my back?  Would my self-esteem sag?  My reputation fracture?  Or, suppose someone had reason to intensively investigate my life, someone vetting me for an important position or award, or someone wanting to discredit or embarrass me.  How much digging would it take, arm-twisting of those who know, good sleuthing to bring some of those secrets to light?

I am different from then.  In some cases I have made confession and feel.  When appropriate, I have tried to make amends.  I have said things, truth in that moment, I no longer believe, even thoroughly disavow.  But those words hastily, unwisely, impulsively spoken or deeds unthinkingly done are “out there” – irretrievable . . . but not unredeemable. 

I am not alone.  I could offer examples in the private and public sector.  Do we need to make room for ourselves and each other to let the “water go over the dam,” to let the past be redeemed.  I wish the character attacks, the gloating over secrets uncovered of public figures, would take this to heart . . . and cease.