One of the hardest things we do in our life is say that we are sorry. Saying sorry is an admission of guilt and an opportunity for reconciliation.
The fact that guilt is something people do not accept as part of our life is what keeps most from going through the cleansing process of an apology.
An apology opens a conversation for give and take. An apology makes the person receiving it stop to take in the knowledge that they were vindicated. This process itself is healing for the person receiving the apology.
What it does for the person saying, “I am sorry”, is a cleansing that only comes with acknowledging a hurt inflicted whether with or without intention.
If we go through life hurting others without remorse or apology, it creates a hardness in the spirit and a growing of hatred for our fellow humans. We become sociopaths, critical of everyone, never realizing our part in the drama surrounding us.
As children we were taught to say sorry for pushing a friend, or taking away a toy when it was not our turn, or kicking someone on the playground. As children we knew that there were consequences to our behavior and if you were “not nice” to your friends, they will eventually stop playing with you.
It is the same concept with adults, if you do not play nice with your fellow adult, they will not play at all with you.
An apology cools the hottest anger and soothes the most irritated soul. An apology will bring things into perspective. An apology is a way to temper the ego and keep it from imploding.
There are consequences associated with an apology. On the one hand you may receive a warm reception and a kind response. That of course is the ideal response and the one we all hope for.
On the other hand, you may be rebuffed and rejected with a harsh word or two. In that case, you have done what clears your mind and ease your spirit. The rest is left to Karma to take care of and allow life to teach that person when they are in the same position sometime in their life.