It’s really important to apologize when we make mistakes.  It is a sign of strength and maturity, not weakness. Unfortunately, there are people who think that acknowledging their mistakes is weakness, and then do not take responsibility for their actions.  In doing this, it makes the person who is affected by the mistake, feel worse.  

I think that it is a sign of immaturity when one is not able to admit wrongdoing.  Everyone, yes everyone, makes mistakes. It is impossible to go through life without doing so.  Neither should we be afraid of making mistakes. That is how we learn. That is how we grow.

But, when we make mistakes that affect other people, it is imperative that an apology must be made.  By not apologizing, a person is, in fact, insulting the person who has been wronged. This is what is referred to as “adding insult to injury.”

I was born into a family where I felt the full impact of an apology.  One day, my dad must have done something that he felt the need to apologize for.  I don’t remember any of the details, but my memory of him coming to my room to apologize has stayed with me all these years.  The fact that he was secure enough to show humility and apologize to a child, made me respect and love him even more than I already did.  This was a lesson to me. This was the way I should behave. And I have followed his guidance throughout my life.

This is not to say that have been perfect in this regard.  There have no doubt been times when I did not realize the impact my actions might have had on someone.  But I have tried to never purposely withhold my admission of fault. I hope that this has not happened very often.

Suffice it to say that I believe that if we all were willing to humble ourselves to say we are sorry for our mistakes, the world would be a kinder place to more people.  And that would be a wonderful thing to be a part of in this place we all call home.