No one wins when playing the blame game

Don't you love blame? It's free, goes anywhere and is in limitless supply. It is odorless, colorless and very often tasteless. Its impact is instantaneous, but the damage can last a lifetime. It doesn't require a membership, a password or annual fees. Instructions are not included; they're not needed.

It is so simple. "It is not our fault: he did it, she did it, they did it, you did it."

By denial we excuse ourselves of all culpability by our simple proclamation. It is self-absolution without Gethsemane. It is so much cleaner; there is no blood and sweat.

If there is evil in the world, it is not our doing. It is theirs. If there is injustice, we can't be held accountable. If there is no love in the world, it is not our fault because we love ourselves so much it can't be us.

By blaming others, the brain protects its physical human carrier. We are safe, our tribe, our ego will survive because we are justified; we are right; they are not. We are flawless. They need drugs and therapy.

Making excuses started the moment innocence was lost. Adam and Eve had some explaining to do after they nibbled a snack from the tree of knowledge. After initiating the earliest recorded shopping spree for garden attire, contributing fault to another was the first fruit of tasting good and evil. At the start of their mortal trip there was some finger-pointing.

King James translated it this way: "And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

"And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat" (see Genesis 3:12-13)

Once out of paradise our first parents may never have used blame ever again. One can say that because they stayed married for a very long time. In contrast, frequently assigning blame is the key element of any failed relationship. It is not only in marriage, but all human interactions. Cain blamed Abel.

Ever since, the daughters of Eve and sons of Adam have often turned to accusing others, excuses and escape to avoid responsibility for their behavior.

Blame is universally employed, especially in a down market. When troubles go up so does the use among all people.

Blame can be a stiletto and/or an atomic bomb. The sharp, pointy dagger is great to punch multiple nasty little holes into the enemy of your choosing. On the other hand, when total blame is uncorked it blows up everything and everyone.