A few weeks ago I really messed up!
I promised my neighbor I’d pick up her mail while she was out of town but then completely forgot!
When she came back, she popped over to get it and that’s when I remembered!
Ugh.
I was SO embarrassed. I couldn’t believe that it had totally slipped my mind.
Rather than giving her an excuse, that we had house guests, I was exercising when she asked and not near my calendar, she didn’t remind me… I simply apologized.
I’m sorry.
My late friend, Tom Carpenter once told me, “forgiveness completely undoes the ego.”
When he said those words, I thought it sounded intriguing, but I didn’t fully grasp the concept until I actually began implementing it.
In other words, when I began genuinely owning up, saying I’m sorry, asking for forgiveness, even when the issue seemed trivial.
What I have found as I have been doing this, is that it is completely freeing!
I don’t have to defend my position, my rationale, or my reputation.
The more I apologize, the more I realize it’s actually my ego that wants to impress, be praised or not look bad for screwing up!
Instead, when I apologize, I get unhooked from the situation.
Want to give it a try?
It can feel strange or even scary at first, but once you do it, you’ll quickly realize how good it feels.
The next time you mess up, apologize.
I promise you this, it won’t make the situation worse.