I would wager that there a lot of people out there, roaming around, doing their own thing, that have absolutely zero comprehension of what the word ‘sorry’ signifies. We know that sorry is the appropriate thing to say when we wrong someone, and furthermore, that it serves as a form of apology, but aside from actually uttering the world aloud, what exactly does sorry mean?
There seems to be some stark confusion regarding the word sorry and what it embodies. A lot of us are firmly under the impression that saying the word sorry will fix the issue at hand, but a single word in itself is not going to rectify the conflict present. We figure if we said we are sorry, there is nothing left to be said or done, and that the problem that required an apology will dissipate in due time.
If only conflict resolution was that simple.
Saying sorry is only one component of the apology process, if you want to look at it that way. Following the oral apology, what should follow suit is a change in behaviour, attitude, language, or tendencies that demonstrate to the person we have upset that we are serious about either improving or changing all together whatever created the issue in the first place. Saying the word sorry and nothing more is sort of like slapping a bandaid on a gaping wound; it might make a small difference and slow the bleeding for a short while, but in time, it will blow loose and result in a bigger mess than what you were initially dealing with.
If you’re going to apologize, don’t just offer up empty words and expect great things to come from it. Anticipate, and furthermore do the work required to make your apology valid and worthwhile, and see the difference at hand.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
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