i think you shouldnt apologize if you dont mean it. i was taught and, am still learning, forgiveness is something you earn- not expect. why say your sorry if you dont even mean it, why give someone the benefit of the doubt for being wrong ? the other day i had a guest demand i apologize. i couldn't believe i had to apologize to someone for their own ignorance and impatience. instead i told that person to have a nice day and walked away. he chased me down and told my manager. can you believe how ridiculous he sounded when he told my manager and with such frustration, "he told me to have a nice day!" the man even tried making my manager force me to apologize. i wanted to say, "i'm so sorry your impatient and are having such a miserable time. i'm sorry everything came out the way you asked. and i'm sorry i forgot to wipe your ass on the way out." ok sorry. i didn't say these things, instead i walked away. i'm hoping he can see in some way how he might have been wrong. but if he can't then i dont care anymore, starting after this post. point being, you don't necessarily reward a child for being in the wrong. i'm not going to apologize to someone for hitting my car. what service to harmony are you doing by providing them with an insincere response. i'd either defend myself or immediately detach from the situation without a word. hopefully one of these two options gives the other something to think about- hopefully learn from. but apologizing to someone else for being wrong could mean your helping them repeat their mistake.
- i have experienced this: The real point is not what is happening around me but rather my reactions to the events and people who enter my 'classroom' for personal lessons. Insincere response? Y do u consider it insincere? i was grateful to get to a meditation that nite and not b delayed by having the police come and to go thru all that. Apologetic? The woman needed to feel rite so i felt no reason not to let her. She might think about it later and think; I was really aggressive and that guy was nice to me. hmmmm That's my take on it Eric. So yes i apologize that i got in her way when she was in a rush. She has to deal with her own reactions. In my spiritual life all i have to b concerned about is my progress. God will take care of hers. i'm not her spiritual mentor. Guess i just did not realize how important it was for her to get ahead of me.If was insincere than at least it avoided an ordeal with the police for both of us and i was able to get to the meditation on time.
By the way i have been missing your presence here. Nice to have u comment.
Steve
