When you say, “I’m sorry. OK, so I’m not a good (enough) husband/wife,” or throw out phrases like “I’m so pathetic” or “You deserve better than this,” it doesn’t feel like a real apology to me. It feels like you’re deflecting. Honestly, it seems like you’re sidestepping the hurt I’m feeling. Those self-pitying apologies don’t […]
“‘I’m sorry; I am just pathetic’ isn’t the apology I need.” Read More »
Too often, when we say “I’m sorry,” it’s less about genuine remorse and more about wanting to stop the other person from being upset. But what people truly want when they feel hurt is to feel understood, not just hear an apology. So if you’ve hurt someone, even unintentionally, start by understanding their perspective. Then,
Why “I’m sorry” doesn’t work. What you should say instead. Read More »
Before Rosh Hashanah, many send greetings, show appreciation, and ask for forgiveness. You may expect or hope for this from those you’ve helped or who may have hurt you. But sometimes, those messages don’t come, or they aren’t quite what you hoped for. Just let it go—don’t stress over it. Try to understand. Some people
Didn’t get the apology or appreciation you expected? Read More »
It may be hard to swallow your pride and apologize, but it’s also hard to live in a disconnected relationship. Choose your hard. Choosing to work through the discomfort of apologizing is the right way to respond when you’ve wronged someone.– For you, it’s an opportunity for personal growth and integrity.– For your spouse, it
It may be hard to apologize, apologize anyway. Read More »
Admitting a wrong-doing generally isn’t easy — especially when doing so means acknowledging that you hurt someone you care about. When an apology is absent or it’s a bad apology, it puts a crack in the very foundation of a relationship. You have to mean it. It must be genuine. An insincere apology is worse
How to apologize the right way. Read More »
It started off as a difference of perspective and somehow moved beyond a civil conversation and into a fight. Somehow, you both ended up saying things that are regrettable. Get back to loving and caring as quickly as possible. To do that, apologize for your role in the fight. Even if you were ‘totally right’,
Apologize to move past a fight Read More »
If you have wronged someone, it is incumbent on you to help them release themselves of the pain they may be feeling. A lot of it can come from your sincere apology. The apology is for them, not for you. Work from a place of true humility and remorse. It will come across in your
How to apologize so the other is more inclined to forgive Read More »
People are tense, stressed. You may say or do something that didn’t land right on the other person. Something you might normally say/do that doesn’t ruffle anything might bring negative responses in this time. Or your spouse may have. Be quick to apologize. Explain your regret for having hurt them. Do not explain it away
Be quick to apologize. Be quick to forgive. Read More »
As in all communication, the apology is in the hands of the receiver. You may be very sincere, but it is up to the receiver to determine if the apology makes its mark on them. If your spouse is still upset after you apologize, you might ask: “I know that I hurt you. I can
If your spouse isn’t satisfied with your apology, apologize again in a different way Read More »
When someone feels wronged by another person, the wrongful act stands as a barrier between them, and the relationship is somewhat fractured. You can’t change the past, but what happens next can make all the difference. A sincere apology can bring reconciliation and growth to the relationship. However, if that apology does not come, then
Apologies aren’t meant to change the past; they are meant to change the future Read More »
