Stepping in the right direction

When you can admit you've wronged either yourself or others, it's a big step in the right direction. In recovery programs, they might call this Step 1--admitting you have a problem.

That's what I was thinking this morning when I read this article published online about the Octomom. Nadya Suleman, the California woman who recently gave birth to eight babies, even though she already had six other children living at home, finally came clean. She admitted to the press that she regretted her decision to have more children.

It's a big step. It's a huge thing to say. It's not exactly something a mother should feel. But c'mon! The woman put herself in a world of chaos by bringing these children into the world the way she did--without financial support, without a home that was really hers--or big enough to house such a large family--without a job. That doesn't even include that the pregancies were, in and of themselves, a danger to her and the babies. And the list goes on. She's been paying for all of it ever since, but not financially. Although she just signed a deal with some British company to do a reality show, I have to wonder: Is that the best solution? Just look at what's happening with the oversized family on the TV show, "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," and you'll see that might not be the healthiest one.

Apparently, now that the children are all living at home with her, she is beginning to accept reality. I don't know what's in store for her next, other than this so-called show to come. It's not even my business. But I also have a confession: I felt a little relief for her after reading this report today.

One of the hardest things we can do is admit when we are wrong. But when we do, that's when we begin to correct, change, or otherwise deal with whatever we did that's keeping us stuck in a more effective manner.

I am happy to hear she took this step.

When you live in denial, you react instead of take action. You've seen proof of that as the Octomom--the unfortunate nickname bestowed upon her by the press--has fired nannies, publically blasted her parents, and destroyed relationships with people who could have been a big help to her.

Perhaps now she will begin taking positive steps that will help her raise all 14 of her children in a more healthy and productive environment. Isn't that the most important thing?

What do you think? Have you ever been involved in something that required you to make a confession before you could move on? What happened after you took that first step?