We all screw up.
We all make mistakes.
Sometimes it's unintentional.
Sometimes we are so caught up in ourselves that it might even be intentional.
Let's go to the wisdom of the waves,
For our daily dose of gentle inspiration.
Saying sorry is important because it acknowledges responsibility,
Fosters healing and restores trust in relationships.
However,
It isn't always easy.
Humans are hardwired to avoid discomfort,
Which can make it challenging to fully accept responsibility for our actions.
When we hurt someone,
Our intentions may be good,
But our actions may not be truly validating,
Which is often the case with many apologies.
This is really important.
Too often we are conditioned to explain our actions rather than fully own them.
Saying,
I didn't mean to hurt you,
Or I thought it was for the best at the time,
Shifts focus from responsibility to justification,
And that's not a real apology.
The essence of a sincere apology.
A true apology should come from the heart.
It's as simple and genuine as saying,
I'm so sorry,
Without adding,
I was just trying to help,
Or I was going through something and this is why.
Humans make mistakes,
No one is perfect.
Owning our actions requires humility and a willingness to be vulnerable,
Which is a challenge for our minds.
When people mask their actions with good intentions,
They deflect,
Hiding the real impact of their behaviour.
This can deepen the hurt,
Create confusion and erode trust.
An apology wrapped in denial isn't an apology at all.
While it may be comforting to know someone didn't intend to harm,
This should never overshadow the genuine need for a heartfelt apology.
This first step is a clear acknowledgement of the hurt caused.
This may or may not open space for a conversation about our intentions.
If the person we've hurt isn't ready to listen,
We must let go and allow them the space to process what we've said.
A true apology.
A true apology shows that we take responsibility for our actions.
It can heal and strengthen relationships by showing empathy and valuing the experience of the person we've hurt.
Through a genuine apology,
We can say,
I see the harm I've caused,
I regret it and I'm committed to making things right.
This fosters healing,
Understanding and a commitment to do better.
Apologies are not merely words but acts of true accountability and compassion.
We are only ready to truly make amends when we can sincerely apologise for the hurt we've caused,
Fully acknowledging it.
Period.
