True Confessions

March 15 or The Ides (midpoint) of March is celebrated for more than one reason. Today it is world consumer rights day. It is also world sleep day to promote the idea of sleep health. The phrase Ides of March resonates through history as a symbol of both celebration and caution due to assassination of popular Roman king, Julius Caesar on the same day. In ancient Rome, March or Martius was the first month of the year and this order can be seen in the numerical names of later months like September (seventh), October(eighth), November (ninth) and December (tenth). The Ides of March would align with the year’s first full moon, signifying a fresh start. Over the time, the date gained administrative importance for settling debts and rents. The month marks the end of a financial year, as is very commonly known to us.

However, better than all this stuff, March 15 is best observed as true confessions day. This theme arrests the attention like anything. The origin of this day can be traced back to a practice of early Roman Catholic Church, where individuals would confess their sins and seek forgiveness. Though the subject of confessions and corrections belongs to the realms of religion and law, it also applies in a general sense to any sort of regret or rift in life, irrespective of our faith or belief. Confession is the simplest way to alleviate guilty. While staying in tune with the common practices of Abrahamic faiths let us recall today what personal practices we need to amend, to reshape our lives better, especially while living through the purifying month of Ramadhan. Faith is supposed to be unseen and intangible but the aura of faith lies in documentation, execution, preaching and practicing. Taste cannot be sensed without food and knowledge cannot be gained without text. Tangible is as important as intangible. Symbol and spirit should go hand in hand for a wholesome belief and blessings.

In this context, I would like to begin with a basic article of our faith called Iman-e-Mujmal. It reads “I believe in Allah as He is, with His names and attributes, and I accept all His judgments, with acknowledgment with the tongue and belief in the heart.” Now in any doctrine or commandment, the order of words is given a serious consideration. What precedes is generally held to be more important than what follows. Though it is generally assumed that faith should percolate our hearts than just becoming a word of mouth, the aforesaid article lays prime emphasis on verbal commitment followed by that of heart.

Basically this doctrine is hinting at something awry that concerns all of us at some point in life. While as our sense and soul facilitate sorting good as good and bad as bad for us, our petty personal interests prevent it from becoming a verbal declaration and this is why verbal confessions deserve a greater importance in certain situations. In other words, if we mean something, we should say it. Confession is not only about admitting mistakes it is also about acknowledging the truth of any matter or substance.

There are many who in their heart of hearts, are convinced about renewals and reformations but their chronic ego keeps them from saying it. They tend to remain secretive, diffident or neutral. Such a silence is truly criminal. Whether through written confessions, personal reflections, or acts of disclosure, True Confessions Day stands in stark contrast, calling attention to the value of being real and vulnerable.

We see in movies how all tragedy in courts of justice is brought by those who witness the truth but don’t say it with conformity. The regrets don’t mean much after making the manipulations. However, if our conscience is doing a little well, then certain regrets that can make us feel stressed. If there is a sense of guilt that is compromising our inner peace and causing distress then one should go ahead and confess it before the afflicted person or even before God for that matter. Confessions mark the closure of a casualty and consequently pave way for a better forward move in life. There should be no open ended baggage in life. Only the insensitive and insane can pass on without paying the penalty or seeking an apology.

True Confessions Day is not just about divulging secrets or airing grievances. Instead, it is a day that encourages individuals to embrace their own truths, however, difficult or uncomfortable they might be. In a world where social norms often encourage people to hide their flaws, mistakes, and vulnerabilities, this day offers a chance to embrace transparency, truthfulness, and authenticity.

This day is a way to connect with others and share our innermost thoughts without fear of judgment. So recall if you owe a sorry to someone from past or from present and say it soon. Just keeping regrets and residues in heart doesn’t make you great enough. Rather get ready to let it all out and embrace the power of honesty!

In a more secular context, True Confessions Day calls attention to the value of being open and genuine in our personal lives. In an age of curated online personas, social media filters, superficial interactions and idealized representations, embracing true self-expression is both revolutionary and essential. Our well composed facebook posts and podcasts cannot represent us for long. Real can also fall in a reel, beware.

Dr. Qudsia Gani, Head Dept. of Physics , Govt. Degree College, Pattan