Own It

Two simple words can solve a lot of things.

I'm sorry.

Pretty simple, right? If you do something wrong, and the person you wronged calls you out on it, just say I'm sorry. And mean it. By doing so you have acknowledged your shortcomings and are working to be a better person.

You walk into my house, kick my dog. I ask you not to kick my dog.

There's nothing wrong with saying it. We are, after all, only human. We make mistakes. God knows I've made my very fair share. These days though, when I realize I've done something incorrect I try to self reflect, see my error, apologize for the action and do my best not to repeat it. God knows (again) that it's likely I'll make it again anyway. But at least I'm aware of it and I'm trying.

You were here a couple of weeks ago when we first moved into the house. My dog was barking incessantly while in his cage. I got frustrated and kicked the cage. My wife was standing right there when I did it. She looked at me and told me I was wrong to do that. I took a second, acknowledged what I had done and apologized to her. I said "your right, I was wrong to do that. I won't do it again". That was the end of it. Of course you were in a different room and didn't hear all that transpired.

Not owning it, trying to deflect it only makes the situation worse. It's the proverbial slap in the face.

When I asked you not to kick my dog, you immediately turned it around and said "and it's big dogs that get the bad rap." You owning big dogs had nothing to do with you kicking my 5lb chihuahua. I continued to ask you not to kick my dog. You then said my other dog bit you before. I responded with "yeah, I bet it tore you up". You left in a huff, sent a text to my wife calling me a hypocrite (for me kicking my dogs cage, even though you didn't know the whole story on that one).


A slice of humble pie can be bitter to swallow sometimes, but I guarantee it's good for the soul.