What is the hardest thing to say in the English language? Not phonetically. Not grammatically. Not in a speech-pathology way. Not in ebonix. Not in suburbian. Not in…(Ok. You get it!) In every day, HUMAN language.
So what is it? The hardest thing to say…..is……Super-cali---LOL No-not that either. The most difficult and the hardest thing to say is, “I was wrong.” Are you surprised that it is not the words “I’m sorry?” Let’s examine. How easy is it to use the common cliché of an apology to admit that something that you said or did was not right? With the turn of the head (some turn so hard that it almost breaks), to the sigh that precedes the o-so-seemingly-difficult heartfelt moment. Then there it is…”I’m sorry.” There is a scramble in the brain like a bad football play, that leaves you mildly retarded and stubborn and inside you are scream.
“I’m not saying it, and you can’t make me!”
The recipient is left with a formality to heal a wound that may or may not be fatal, but a wound none the less. And the cure is a flimsy Band-Aid of an exclamation that culture has popularized to be the holy-grail of solutions.
NOPE! That was not difficult to say at all. But why? Simple. It took no thought. We are programmed to respond like robots. “I broke your vase. I’m sorry.” “I’m late. I’m sorry.” “I punched you in the face. I’m sorry.” “I ruined your life. I’m sorry.” –You see. It’s all the same. But something is missing.
I’d like to draw your attention to the left side of your chest. There is this thing inside of you that often is left out of apologies. It is totally absent from the foundation of resolve in most cases. I’m speaking of the heart.
The next time that you want to apologize…REALLY apologize – STOP. Think. Now, instead of murmuring the first line of the script that we have been issued to recite time and time again, place your hand on the left side of your chest, take a deep breath and say, “I was wrong!”
Ok…your turn. Try it out and let me know if you live through it. By your response I will take that as a yes!
To help jump-start your heart muscles, meet MICK! When it's time to say those ever so hard words, let the story of this triumphant pup be your inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-KYUAHTwTo
To see how Mick is doing now, visit The Mia Foundation