To err is human, to not forgive is inhumane

It seems clear that Michael Vick wants a second chance.

Michael Vick may be out of prison, but clearly there are many who are not ready to forgive and forget what he did.

Michael Vick will need to realize that he triggered in his fans and certainly all animal lovers the 3 H’s of Hurt, Hate and Hesitation to Trust. To reverse each of those he will need to respond with the 3 R’s of Remorse, Restitution and Rehabilitation before those people will give him a second chance.

The 3 H’s: Hurt, Hate, Hesitation to Trust

1. Hurt - When he did what he did, he was not only cruel to dogs, but he hurt anyone who loves and is protective of dogs or animals.
2. Hate - People who love animals hate him for having done what he did, especially in such a cold unfeeling way.
3. Hesitation to Trust - Given what he did and the cruelty he demonstrated those people are going to be hesitant to give him a second chance to do it again.

The 3 R’s: Remorse, Restitution, Rehabilitation

1. Remorse - Whoever felt hurt by his actions will need to see him demonstrating true remorse rather than mere regret for his actions.
2. Restitution - He injured something in people who love animals and in his fans who had seen him as a hero and then he took that ways. They will need a payback. Maybe his prison time and time away from his career will do. Maybe they need something more, such as being able to vent their anger, boo him at games, shame him verbally until they get it out of their system. And maybe he’ll need to spend time being a vigorous proponent of the humane treatment of animals.
3. Rehabilitation - He’ll need to show that he has developed a new set of values where perhaps he not only never resorts to cruelty to animals, but he goes on a campaign against it that he sincerely believes in.

After six months of his practicing and living the 3 R’s, if people still do not forgive him, he is no longer unforgivable. They are unforgiving.

Usable Insight: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone; let he who is with sin follow the steps to earn back forgiveness

Read more at: Forgiving Michael Vick

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