BLOT

Now here’s a word laden with history and meanings, at least for me as a middle-aged male raised on fountain pens, a degree of tradition, and a memory of turns of phrase! (And, if I remember correctly a farce or satire turned to tv probably more decades ago than I care to remember).

A blot on one’s copybook – to leave an ink-splodge on the best exercise book and spoil the presentation.

A blot on one’s record – a stain to your reputation and standing in society.

These carry the weight of tradition and history, perhaps to a time when appearances mattered far more than now. It reminds me of the expectations of outward appearances, and yes, the rules of school uniform and acceptable appearance, as well as a different but similar manifestation referring to something undesirable or aesthetically unpleasing as a blot on the landscape.

These are all seen as something to be avoided, such as a single counter left exposed on a point in the game of backgammon, which attracts the same name. Sometimes though such failures, such sub-optimal outcomes, occur either through failure or unavoidable circumstances. The best we can do is take measures to minimise them, absorbing spilled liquid with the paper towel and hoping it doesn’t stain, or in something I rather miss as a continuing ink pen user, blotting paper (and haven’t seen in many years!)

However in the context of Lent and faith (both Christian and Jewish) we encounter it in our liturgy. In the psalm that begins Morning Prayer we plead thus:

“Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; 
according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences.”

Lent is a time when we’re enjoined to recognise ourselves, and not just in the positive tendencies that so much contemporary practice would, which tends of emphasise, at least in popular culture, our good sides and positive traits. Lent is not an exercise on accentuating the positive. Neither, though, is it about wallowing in self-pity. It is a time for honesty and self-awareness, neither bigging ourselves up, nor beating ourselves down. It is about understanding, self-knowledge.

Yes, I should do my utmost to avoid the unsightly stains to character of selfishness, laziness, spite, anger and gluttony, to name but a few, but while I may be able to fool myself there’s no guarantee I can fool you, dear readers, still less the gaze of the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

(Bonus footnote for any RPG friends who’ve made it thus far: the failure of player characters has often far greater potential for game enjoyment than their success, whether in seeking atonement for ritual sin, forgiveness for unwise action, or second chances when the dice of fate do not fall in their favour!)

I wonder what word will be brought to mind tomorrow, and whether it will begin with the next letter of the alphabet… because as yet I really have no idea!