The Dark Side of the Moon: Redemption Means Owning Your Bullshit
It's easier to orbit the moon than admit you're the problem.
We are making history this week.
For the first time in over 50 years, four astronauts are traveling around the moon. They'll see the far side with their own eyes, something none of us here on Earth can ever do.
I still call it the “dark side,” even though technically it gets just as much sunlight as the rest of the moon. I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t know that until this week.
Pink Floyd used the phrase for their iconic 1973 album as a metaphor for the darker recesses of the mind and things we try to ignore about ourselves.
We all have those things we keep hidden because God forbid anyone think we're flawed, damaged, or possibly a little deranged. Not necessarily evil things, though I've met some strong contenders.
This isn't a groundbreaking revelation. People are complicated, and it's one thing to acknowledge our generic flaws that can usually be waved off as quirks or annoyances.
It's something else to admit you hurt someone without making yourself the victim.
That's probably why people love a good redemption arc.
Stories are full of them, ranging from arrogant jackassess to mass murderers. But inevitably, the 'come to Jesus' moment happens where they have to face up to what they've done and own their bullshit.
No excuses, no half-assed apologies, or insistence on moving on because "that was in the past, let's focus on the positive things now".
And hey, I'm all for focusing on the positive, but you don't get to tell anyone to do that until you've looked them in the eye and genuinely owned up to what you did to them without making it about you.
