Oops, sorry, I made a mistake!  I was wrong. My bad. Please forgive me; that was my error.  Simple straight forward statements but not heard enough. Simple yes, but not always easy, and incredibly difficult and painful for many to admit, myself included of course.  But I am working on this as I move forward and am learning that the admission of wrong doing brings a weird sense of freedom as well. With each public recognition of fault comes an easing of tension for me in needing to always be vigilant in knowing I am right. Allowing myself room for error has freed me to take chances and seeming risks that I might not otherwise have taken.

Making a mistake is going to happen to all of us – every single human being and it should not be a surprise to anyone or bring a sense of shame or embarrassment when it happens.  On the flip side of this coin is the person accepting the words of apology – what should their response be?

More often than not, the receiver of an apology takes on a sense of smugness and superiority in their position for granting a pardon.  But shouldn’t they feel gratitude and a modicum of respect for the one who utters the words, “I am sorry”? Shouldn’t the person acknowledging his or her error be recognized for the responsibility they are taking for that admission of fault?  If each of us makes errors and mistakes, shouldn’t we be grateful for the people who are humble enough to share their acceptance of blame? It smooths the course for the time when it becomes our turn to apologize.

It seems politicians and leaders have perhaps learned to use this public apology thing to their advantage – taking advantage in fact of the premise that their ownership of fault wins them a connection to the little guy by making them more “real” – more like the average Joe.  They can afford the public apology and ironically gain from it by seeming more in touch. Why can’t we all grant that connection and acceptance to our peers, spouses, children, and even our bosses who are already average Joes?

Go out there and try something new and make the mistakes that you will make.  Say your sorry when you need to, and be proud to own your piece of the effort. Forgive and even admire the person willing to try.

“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist…..Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist” 
― Stephen Hawking