THE POWER OF *I AM SORRY.*

 

*I am sorry* is a short and mighty sentence.

If you wish to live long, don't joke with this short sentence, *I am sorry*. Do you know how many people who had gone to their early grave because they neglected the therapeutic power of *I am sorry*.

Most of the troubles in most homes are heightened because wives are too big to say *I am sorry* to their husbands and you can trust the ego of husbands in saying same to their wives. Quarrel lingers between friends because no party wants to say *I am sorry*. Each says or asks, why should I be the first to say *I am sorry?* He or she would beat his or her chest and utter the ego phrase, *a whole me!*

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the part of the world where saying *I am sorry* is a hard nut to crack while curses are easily unleashed. Welcome to the part of the world where people refer to a person who says *I am sorry* in a midst of a rift as a *weaker sex*: one who is not man enough; one who is foolish. And that's the thing. Saying *I am sorry* actually shows strength, not weakness. A person who can apologize and truly mean it is self-aware. 

Welcome to Africa where saying *I am sorry* is tougher than forcing a donkey to pass through a needle hole. All of us are victims of this discussion. We have lost valuable assets, money and even lives because of this cheap and affordable sentence *I am sorry*. It simply cost only a breath of speech.

Have you ever wondered why domestic violence is less pronounced in the western world? It is simply because they understand the efficacy of *I am sorry*. Husbands say it to their wives and even children whenever they err, wives and children do the same and life goes on fine.

Friends, this is simply a piece to encourage us to cultivate a habit of saying *I am sorry.* It is difficult but readily affordable. When you say that you are sorry, it restores the dignity of the hurt person and makes them feel better. An apology may restore trust and understanding to a relationship, because it contributes to a feeling of safety and makes both the receiver and the giver feel comfortable and respected.

How to say *I am sorry* and really mean it?

1. Consider the Motive Behind Your Apology and yourself what's motivating the apology. Ask yourself what’s motivating the apology. Is it coming from a sincere place of remorse and a desire to improve? Or do you just want to smooth things over?
2. Go Ahead and Confess, But No Excuses — You Did This. The act of confessing sounds simple enough, but your language and phrasing are critical. You need to tell the victim what she or he did without excuses or blame. And not I did this because you did that, that's not an apology. 
3. Be Contrite and Make A Plan To Change. If you don’t have a plan to prevent your harmful behavior from recurring, then you risk making an “empty apology,” which is called an apology that isn't followed up with a change in behavior, attitude.
4. Get Ready to Change Because This is Just The Beginning. The offending party must commit to putting in the work at changing. This won’t happen overnight.