DO you remember Elton John singing “sorry seems to be the hardest word”?

I listened to it recently and it really got me thinking.

It is just a five-letter word. However, it is hugely powerful. Many of us use the word without even thinking about it. Being British, we are renowned around the world for our politeness, quick to get in “Oh, I’m sorry” to complete strangers from fear of being seen as rude or offensive. Yet, at times and often to those who are closest to us, the short, five-letter word gets stuck in our throats.

When someone does something wrong to you and you feel an apology is necessary, what do you do? Most people stew inside and bubble up with anger and frustration. This is unhealthy for the injured party. Like other emotions, it is accompanied by physiological and biological changes; when you get angry, your heart rate and blood pressure go up, as do the levels of your energy hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. Firstly, try not to let this affect you. Take a breath, think happy thoughts, and try not to think about it. You cannot change things, you cannot make someone say sorry, and if you do, is it a genuine apology!?

First things first, we all make mistakes, some much more adverse and hurtful than others, but mistake making is a trait that makes us uniquely human.

Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes cause pain to other people. Some people live their lives causing offence. I feel sorry for these folk. Life is so much happier when you live your life with an awareness of how you feel and how your actions can affect others.

If you can say sorry it is so empowering to both parties. If done correctly and accepted, then it clears the air and allows relationships to heal. Forgiveness is a way to start again. It enables you to let go of those negative feelings and be happy again.

This is quite a big topic and I am sure I will come back to this again in the future.

See you again in two weeks!

Until then – Stay Safe and Be Kind.

Trish Caller