Two of the most important words you could ever say to someone are "I'm Sorry." Yes, they are just two words, but they can be so completely hard to say, especially with the right meaning behind them. As someone who grew up in a household where you either said "I'm sorry" or you'd forfeit a meal, I definitely got used to saying those words. But what really makes the difference in saying them and meaning them?
As I've gotten older I learned that while they may just be two words, their meaning says much more. And these two words can make or break any relationship you will have with family, friends, coworkers, and any other person in which you come in contact.
Like I previously mentioned, I grew up knowing when to say "I'm sorry." It took me years to realize the true importance of saying that phrase. I remember a time when I offended my mom and she was very angry because I wouldn't apologize. I had finally reached the point in my life where I refused to say "I'm sorry" if it wasn't how I really felt. We went more than a couple of days without speaking before my pride had subsided enough for my apology to be genuine and heartfelt.
Like anything in life, the more you practice, the better you become. Within the last year, God has provided me with some of the most amazing women I've ever had in my life. We, as my pastor says, do life together. We laugh, we cry, and yes, we fight. I remember the first time my close friend and I had an argument. We were both pretty mad and it took a couple of weeks of cooling off for us to sit down and talk about things and figure out what we needed to do to work through the problem. It was really the first time in my life that I had a friend that I didn't write off, or didn't write me off the minute there was a huge fight. I have to admit, there was a breakthrough!
As my friendships have grown, there have been other disputes. And putting my pride away and apologizing has become, not easier, but more normal. I no longer fear that my friends will abandon me because of a problem. If you're single and reading this, let me note that this is really good practice for married life.
But beyond the bounds of friendship and close acquaintances, is that apology still important? Absolutely. Just about a week ago I waved the white flag and sat down with someone I hadn't spoken to in months, prepared to take full responsibility for what had transpired between us, and set aside my pride so I could properly apologize. Then the most amazing thing happened, they responded with their own apology. I wasn't certain how the conversation would go prior to our meeting, but, like I said, I was ready to take full responsibility for my actions.
So whether you think what you did was right or wrong, it is always proper etiquette to mend fences with those two little, but powerful, words.
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As I've gotten older I learned that while they may just be two words, their meaning says much more. And these two words can make or break any relationship you will have with family, friends, coworkers, and any other person in which you come in contact.
Like I previously mentioned, I grew up knowing when to say "I'm sorry." It took me years to realize the true importance of saying that phrase. I remember a time when I offended my mom and she was very angry because I wouldn't apologize. I had finally reached the point in my life where I refused to say "I'm sorry" if it wasn't how I really felt. We went more than a couple of days without speaking before my pride had subsided enough for my apology to be genuine and heartfelt.
Like anything in life, the more you practice, the better you become. Within the last year, God has provided me with some of the most amazing women I've ever had in my life. We, as my pastor says, do life together. We laugh, we cry, and yes, we fight. I remember the first time my close friend and I had an argument. We were both pretty mad and it took a couple of weeks of cooling off for us to sit down and talk about things and figure out what we needed to do to work through the problem. It was really the first time in my life that I had a friend that I didn't write off, or didn't write me off the minute there was a huge fight. I have to admit, there was a breakthrough!
As my friendships have grown, there have been other disputes. And putting my pride away and apologizing has become, not easier, but more normal. I no longer fear that my friends will abandon me because of a problem. If you're single and reading this, let me note that this is really good practice for married life.
But beyond the bounds of friendship and close acquaintances, is that apology still important? Absolutely. Just about a week ago I waved the white flag and sat down with someone I hadn't spoken to in months, prepared to take full responsibility for what had transpired between us, and set aside my pride so I could properly apologize. Then the most amazing thing happened, they responded with their own apology. I wasn't certain how the conversation would go prior to our meeting, but, like I said, I was ready to take full responsibility for my actions.
So whether you think what you did was right or wrong, it is always proper etiquette to mend fences with those two little, but powerful, words.
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