Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission; and satisfaction by means of good works.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The safest and most suitable form of penance seems to be that which causes pain in the flesh but does not penetrate to the bones, that is, which causes suffering but not sickness.
Remorse is the pain of sin.
To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.
Sorrow for sin is indeed necessary, but it should not be an endless preoccupation. You must dwell also on the glad remembrance of God's loving-kindness; otherwise, sadness will harden the heart and lead it more deeply into despair.
To sin offers repentance and forgiveness; not to sin offers only punishment.
All sins are attempts to fill voids.
Every painful consequence of sin is a part of the punishment meted out for sin.
Sacrifice, discipline and prayer are essential. We gain strength through God's word. We receive grace from the sacrament. And when we fumble due to sin - and it's gonna happen - confession puts us back on the field.
A 'sin' is something which is not necessary.
And the only thing to do with a sin is to confess, do penance and then, after some kind of decent interval, ask for forgiveness.