I confess I resist innovations in modern culture because of innate horror that is not necessarily rational. That we do things we are not necessarily conscious of is a bit disturbing to know. That is why detoxing my soul requires what I call intellectual and spiritual “lemon juice.”

Lemon is refreshing. But, like acidic foods it has bite! That’s its beauty. If I do not accept bitterness of lemons and of life, I cannot live effectively. Then I simply remain. Or, continue to exist. Inert, entitled, and frustrated.

Now that I have painted my past experiences as lemons, or bitter, I may freely move on out of Inertia. Mortimer Adler would be proud, I believe. He was a philosopher who explained Aristotle’s process or pattern of thinking that requires categorization.

If I have an old wound for example, I may nurse it continually but never quite recover from it. That is something we do as human beings according to Carl Jung whether we are conscious of it or not, I believe. Protecting ourselves from future harm is instinctual.

However, if I categorize a feeling or traumatic event – giving it words and describing it as “lemon” or “bitter,” then I can work out rationally ways of coping with it. That is the power of categorization. It delivers an unconscious something I am experiencing into my conscious mind.

Otherwise, my struggles and fears stay hidden even to myself. I can receive neither comfort, relief nor absolution from my unhappy past. That is Confessions’ original purpose- freedom? Yes?

Otherwise, I am trapped- inert and powerless- in my painful past. Unable to work toxins out of my soul.

Confession is good for the soul. So is Mortimer Adler, Aristotle, and lemons.