Don't give people information they can't process.

Our brains are stressed enough just trying to get through the day without having to deal with somebody unloading troubling informaton on us for no good reason. Something we have to deal with only because it was told to us. Prior to hearing it, we were doing okay or not, but now we're doing worse. Did we really need to hear that?

Don't give people information they can't process. Don't confess to your spouse that you've had an affair but that it's over. Forget the "over" part: It's the part about you having sex with someone else that your wife will never get out of her mind. Never ever ever.

But what if you hadn't told her and really had ended the affair? Might you not spend the rest of your life making up to her for something she doesn't know you did? Might she not benefit from all that guilty attention? If you are truly done fooling around -- and not fooling yourself about it -- then not telling her might make both your lives better in the long run.

Never tell your mother that you have murdered your ex or anyone else. Don't admit to your boss that you've been stealing from the company for years but that you aren't doing it anymore.

What are they supposed to do with that information?

It has to be processed -- meaning that they have to deal with it somehow. Don't burden people with personal information that will require them to (1) hate you, or (2) fire you, or (3) turn you in. They were doing fine before you gave them this unsolicited information about yourself, and now they have to take some action that they don't want to take.

Keep your personal confessions to yourself, unless they can help someone. If you must share them, do so with your priest or counselor. On the other hand, if you truly have repented for your misdeeds, then, by all means, share that with everyone you might have hurt. Ask for their forgiveness. (Most people will give it, if just to be rid of you.)

Be honest with everyone, but don't volunteer disturbing information unless asked to. Or you think it might do the other person some good. If it's all about you, then take Archie Bunker's advice and stifle, Edith.

Don't go around putting little bombs in people's pockets.