Words can cut like a sharp sword. They can hurt.
Many of us are guilty of saying things to others that hurt them deeply. Sometimes what we say is of truth and other times our words are made up of pure lies. We feel it doesn't matter whether what we said is true or not, as long as we get the desired effect, which is to hurt that person. In the aftermath, we are left feeling hurt ourselves, to know we said mean, hurtful things to the other person. Our conscience lets us know we've been mean and can bother us until we apologize. But how do we go back and undo the injury, the damage we caused to someone's feelings, livelihood, reputation, or their entire life, for that matter?
Time to Apologize
The reality is some actions can be undone, but words cannot be unsaid. Because of this, in order to fix the damage we have to engage the process of apology and forgiveness. This process requires the involvement of both the person who committed the hurt (you) and the person who was hurt. Sometimes it is not easy or practical to engage the person you've hurt in this process because of many reasons, including location or inability to reach that person on the phone or by email.
Ironically, if you're you're unable to reach out to that person to make amends you can become tormented by the deeds you've done. You begin to feel worse and worse, and if you didn't know any better, you might even feel as if it's unfair that you are unable to apologize and ask forgiveness. In fact, you begin feeling as if you are the injured party.
This is what unforgivingness can do. It can tear away at your soul. You may never be the same again until you forgive and ask forgiveness for whatever you've said and done. Sometimes you may not even know why, despite all your accomplishments physically, materially, spiritually, you still feel disoriented and empty inside. Perhaps it is because you haven't come back to say, "I'm sorry."
Words can HEAL as much as they can HURT. It is time to apologize, even if it is to simply say, "I'M SORRY." Hopefully you are able to connect back to the people you've hurt and make amends. If this is not at all possible or practical, you still must apologize to that person and ask for forgiveness in order to release your spirit. You can do this by speaking to someone you trust and basically confessing your actions. If you're religious, or are Christian, you may even pray and confess your actions and feelings to God and ask forgiveness. This might make you feel better, but there is no greater relief than making things right one-on-one with the person who you've hurt.
Delina Cummings
Copyright 2014. Life, Love & Inspiration
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