Food for Thought!

Sorry – A simple but powerful word.
A word that some people seem to find difficult to use. Why?
Is it because they think it is a sign of weakness.
However, the ability to apologise for one’s actions, words; spoken or written is taking responsibility for those actions. It is not a weakness, it is a strength because it takes a strong, confident yet humble person to apologise, to say sorry.
Saying sorry can bring emotional benefits to both the receiver and the giver.
A person who has been harmed feels emotional healing when they are acknowledged by the wrongdoer. When we receive an apology, we no longer perceive the wrongdoer as a personal threat and change our opinion of the person. An Apology helps us to move past our anger and prevents us from being stuck in the past. It opens the door to forgiveness by allowing us to have empathy for the wrongdoer.
To forgive, most people need to gain some empathy and compassion for the wrongdoer. This is where apology comes in. When someone apologises, it is a lot easier to view him or her in a compassionate way and we find it easier to forgive them for their actions.
There are also two important underlying aspects of an apology—intention and attitude. These are communicated non verbally to the person to whom you are apologising. If the apology is not given sincerely, it will not feel meaningful to the other person.
A meaningful apology communicates the three R’s: regret, responsibility and remedy.
Regret: statement of regret for having caused the hurt or damage.
Responsibility: an acceptance of responsibility for your actions.
Remedy: a statement of willingness to remedy the situation.
Perhaps if more people could apologise and take responsibility for their actions we would build a more peaceful world!
Just a little food for thought.