History repeats itself is often quoted by historians. But why does history repeat itself, if we know the consequences of past actions? Let us take examples of a fictional character John Smith who is serving time in a county jail. He has a history of imprisonments since his teenage years. Besides father time, drugs and alcohol have taken its toll on his body; but he continues on a path of crime. He eventually loses his life, shanked by his prison companion. What makes a human being go against the odds? I believe it is the same with everyone. We succumb to the evils in our minds. That is why history always appears to repeat itself.
But evil is not the devil or Satan, which some religions believe are the origins of our poor behavior. Evil refers to the dusts of greed, arrogance, and self-love that are generated by our selfish minds. Often times, we see the consequences of past actions and thoughts, yet we continue to take the same path that leads to suffering. It is the evils that prevent the mind to see the clear path.
For some, the removal of these evils will be of herculean task, since these evils may be imbued in their hearts. We need God’s help. We have a prayer asking God to remove these evils from the minds of mankind. It is said that when all mankind is purified from the heart, the world will see true joy.