Ep. 66: How to Apologize Like You Mean It

Elton John was right. “Sorry” seems to be the hardest word. Why is it so hard to give an apology yet so powerful to receive one?

Most people don’t know how to apologize. We’re all pretty clumsy at it. We say, “If I offended you, I’m sorry.” Or, “Sorry you feel that way.” Or, say “I owe you an apology” yet never give one.

None of those are genuine apologies. An apology includes the words, “I’m sorry.” Those two words can repair and right a relationship forever. No one likes to admit they’re wrong, but we’re all wrong some of the time. And sometimes our wrongs hurt others.

If we learn from our wrongs and apologize for them, we don’t have to flog ourselves forever. It takes grace to receive an apology, to give up remaining a victim. But you can give up your hurt and move on. Once you release that person, you’re free, too.