Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
The past few days had been lots of whining, rattling and talking nonsense - enough is enough =) thought I better write something more "decent" and reflective ...
"Sorry seems to be the hardest word" - this is a song by Elton John. That was the first thought I had upon reading "A season of sorrys and a few pitfalls" (ST 27 Oct 06).
What does it take to say "sorry"? Simply another word that comes forth from our tongue? Or does it take extra effort and humility to do so? When we say "sorry", do we really mean it, or is it because we "have to"?
I hold in high regard people who are influential or in prominent positions who are willing to humble themselves and apologise for their mistakes or an "unintentional, careless word" used - sometimes not done intentionally and probably out of "all innocence". At times, their apologies were towards people's reaction to their opinions, views or remarks, and not for the substance of what they said.
It's never easy - the higher in "status" you are as compared to others, the tougher it is to do so. Yet on the other hand, we know there are others who are not willing to swallow the humble pie, and instead of rectifying the situation, makes it worse by exhibiting a harsher attitude, refusing to budge in all stubbornness.
What does it take actually, to say a simple "sorry" word? I quote from the writer of ST a few things she wrote:-
1) To be effective, apologies should be timely
2) A sorry that comes late is better than one which never comes at all
3) A sorry doesn't bring back the dead, but it helps the living cope with the pain of their forebears' suffering
4) Acknowledges the mistake or wrongdoing; accepts responsibility; expresses regret, provides assurance that the offence won't be repeated, and is well-timed.
5) Saying sorry too late, not being sorry enough, saying sorry in the wrong way - these are all potential pitfalls of an apology wrongly issued.
We might be living in this universe but we ARE NOT the center of our universe. Everything don't revolve around we and us alone. Our actions and words have implications in the lives of others. No wonder the Bible reminds us to be careful with the way we think, act and speak. A good golden rule to follow would be "Do to others as you would have them do to you." - Luke 6:31.
The past few days had been lots of whining, rattling and talking nonsense - enough is enough =) thought I better write something more "decent" and reflective ...
"Sorry seems to be the hardest word" - this is a song by Elton John. That was the first thought I had upon reading "A season of sorrys and a few pitfalls" (ST 27 Oct 06).
What does it take to say "sorry"? Simply another word that comes forth from our tongue? Or does it take extra effort and humility to do so? When we say "sorry", do we really mean it, or is it because we "have to"?
I hold in high regard people who are influential or in prominent positions who are willing to humble themselves and apologise for their mistakes or an "unintentional, careless word" used - sometimes not done intentionally and probably out of "all innocence". At times, their apologies were towards people's reaction to their opinions, views or remarks, and not for the substance of what they said.
It's never easy - the higher in "status" you are as compared to others, the tougher it is to do so. Yet on the other hand, we know there are others who are not willing to swallow the humble pie, and instead of rectifying the situation, makes it worse by exhibiting a harsher attitude, refusing to budge in all stubbornness.
What does it take actually, to say a simple "sorry" word? I quote from the writer of ST a few things she wrote:-
1) To be effective, apologies should be timely
2) A sorry that comes late is better than one which never comes at all
3) A sorry doesn't bring back the dead, but it helps the living cope with the pain of their forebears' suffering
4) Acknowledges the mistake or wrongdoing; accepts responsibility; expresses regret, provides assurance that the offence won't be repeated, and is well-timed.
5) Saying sorry too late, not being sorry enough, saying sorry in the wrong way - these are all potential pitfalls of an apology wrongly issued.
We might be living in this universe but we ARE NOT the center of our universe. Everything don't revolve around we and us alone. Our actions and words have implications in the lives of others. No wonder the Bible reminds us to be careful with the way we think, act and speak. A good golden rule to follow would be "Do to others as you would have them do to you." - Luke 6:31.
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