The two magic words

The first step to amending a wrong done to someone is by saying ‘sorry’. Resentment, anger, pain can vanish with the two magic words - “I’m sorry”.

If we want to be at peace with people (especially those close to us), we should not feel too big to apologize irrespective of who is at fault. Some people do not make it easy, because they begin to believe that you are apologising because you were actually wrong, but that should not deter us.

Some people also continue being angry after you have apologised. Some will even tell you to shove your apology. Fact is you have done your bit to end the issue.

Saying sorry does not make us in any way smaller; on the contrary, it makes us “the bigger person”. There are those times when you just want to abuse the living daylights out of that person you are angry at. You know you are right and the person is wrong, yet he/she obstinately insists you are wrong.

Do not put you self on the same level with that person. Simply end the annoying discourse by saying ‘sorry’.
In some people, that ‘sorry’ will piss them off because they know you have disarmed them. The person aches to keep abusing you and you retaliating; but the moment you apologise, you make him/her seem like a fool.


Apology to an angry person can sometimes be likened to pouring chilled water on a skin that has been dealt with by sun. The moment the chilled water lands on the skin, the person feels relieved. So does apologising to a hurt person. It works like magic.

If parents are angry at their child for any reason, they expect the child to apologise and turn a new leaf. But when instead of apologising, the child just stands there waiting for their verdict to be over so that he/she can go away, the parents feel really hurt. If a child apologises to the parents even without them asking, there is calm. If at all that child will still be punished, it wouldn’t be as intense as pre-planned.

Same goes for couples in relationships or marriages. When both parties are angry, the issue only gets prolonged. This is because two wrongs can never make a right. The best thing is, one person should kick away that pride and apologise. When you do and the other person refuses to let it go, know then that you have done your bit.

In our day to day interaction with people, we find that there is truly power in saying sorry.
Apology is important in our lives. Research shows that receiving an apology has a noticeable, positive physical effect on the body. An apology actually affects the bodily functions of the person receiving it - blood pressure decreases, heart rate slows and breathing becomes steadier.

There are thousands of instances as to how the simple word ‘sorry’ has mended wrongs that I cannot put it all down. Imbibing the attitude of saying sorry may be alien to some of us, but as they say, practice makes perfect. Just keep saying sorry when there is need for it and soon, it wouldn’t be that big a deal to say it.

The most important thing is knowing that apology is like a balm to the wounded heart. Know when and how (some people actually apologise arrogantly and make matters worse) to administer it and watch it work wonders in your marriage, homes and life in general.