Sometimes in life and with people there comes a moment when an apology is necessary. I am not certain when that time is or becomes necessary. However, I do know that the quality of your life is never worse when you humbly apologize to anyone and everyone. Sometimes, there are people that know you that are waiting for that one single phrase. This phrase is for good reasons one of the most difficult phrases in the English language. When spoken this phrase means that you as an individual have recognized that within yourself you have found a flaw. It may be a small or large flaw.
"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." ---Lewis Smedes
I am not a perfect man and I have never met a perfect human being. I know that in the past when I have had disagreements with someone and the result is walking away, that somewhere, sometime an apology needs to be made. I find it interesting that so many of us would rather hold our anger, frustration and resolve to be angry and offended. It takes a great deal more energy to be angry and frustrated than to be humble, remorseful and forgiving. How many amazing moments in life are lost because those we know or we ourselves hold on to anger, hurt and frustration?
"He who cannot forgive others destroys a bridge over which he himself must pass." ---George Herbert
Forgiving someone that has wronged us, hurt us, embarrassed us, humiliated or any other offensive act, takes a grand person indeed. I ask how many of us in this world have not forgiven someone. Now, I ask how many of us have someone out their yet to forgive us. Where does forgiveness begin? It begins with the grandest person you know. It begins with each of us. First, we must forgive ourselves and recognize that we are not flawless. We make mistakes; we act foolishly at times and offend others, intentionally or unintentionally. We are stubborn and want to be correct all of the time and never proven wrong for that shows we have a weakness.
Many times in life, we do not even realize we have offended someone. Yet, they carry this hurt and anger without us even realizing it. I guess we have to be very keen in recognizing when people around us are not themselves and behavior towards us has changed. Sometimes, a simple misunderstanding or cross up in communication has led to someone being offended by us. In this world and during these times we cannot afford to be offended or offend. Our world is becoming more and more complex with more and more technology at our fingertips that allows us to offend more people, more quickly. Social media is leading the charge and it is so easy to offend someone or to get communication lines crossed.
It is with a humble heart and a pure mind that I take pause. I ask that you join me in pausing for a moment and look at our lives. Look into the mirror and see a humble, beautiful, learning, growing person looking back at you. This person would never intentionally seek to offend, mis-communicate, or harm another. The person looking back at you is an awesome, loving human being that wants to like and love everyone and be liked and loved by everyone. If there is anyone in your life that has yet to hear that difficult phrase, I encourage you to find the courage. I will begin with my own life.
"It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend." ---William Blake
If you are one that I have offended with this blog or through my words in person or those I have written, this message is for you. If I know you in person, we see each other, and I have offended you, this message is for you. If I have wronged you in any way or even if I have not, yet you perceive I have, this message is for you. It is with great humility, sincerity and affection that I write and speak this most difficult phrase in all the English language.
I am sorry, will you please forgive me.
"Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time." ---Sara Paddison
"The first thing I said to him is 'I guess I owe you a few apologies,' ... He laughed and was just very warm and gracious." ---Phil Hartman
"Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past." ---Tryon Edwards
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