#7 - I will never forgive you

Time was, I thought, a sincere apology with amends would reset a broken relationship. Wrong.? It turns out "I will never forgive you"?is a thing.

In addition, the culture surrounding us keeps giving us enterprise, media, judicial, political, cultural, and personal examples of never apologizing. It's as if it is a best practice to deny any and all culpability.?"I will never apologize"?is also a thing.

Is it possible that some among us genuinely believe they are infallible and have the power to withhold mercy? Could someone now travel through life without witnessing the incredible transformation of contrition matched with forgiveness?

Going deeper into forgiveness, Miroslav Wolf's personal story is compelling.

What might again give meaning to the words?"I am sorry?"?What might again help someone feel the courage to say,?"I forgive?"?New words may be needed.

Apologies: "Mea Culpa. I am your servant to replace, make restitution, or somehow reduce the harm I caused you."

If necessary, repeat these words. No defense. No explanation unless requested explicitly by the offended party. Then no other words. Silence.

And believe the wonderful promise that even when a human does not forgive you, you are already granted much-needed well-being and mercy that can live within you.

Forgiveness: "Peace to you. The ground between us is scraped clean, and we can start again."

If necessary, repeat these words. No accusation. No demands. Find your own words if you like. Nothing else needs to be said.

And believe the wonderful promise that even if a person does not apologize, you are already granted much-needed well-being and mercy that can live within you.

In my backpack:?I'm no philosopher, but I got thoughts, by?Kristin Chenoweth.

I may be a male heterosexual using he/him pronouns, but I'm secure enough to read a pink book in public. And although I've got a long life in the academic study of the history and context that brought us scripture, I'm unafraid for it to be known Ms. Chenowyth's scriptural and spiritual sentiments benefitted me. I admire her courage and unabashed ways, even though my journey to wholeness is in an entirely different body and personality.?

One big takeaway for me–personal and healing–is the following friendly reminder:

"There's a difference between individualism and selfishness. Jesus was a rugged individualist, and he cared about other people. Be an individualist like Jesus."

Claiming that one.?

An Executive Advisor walking alongside accomplished executives in the third turn of their careers, Mark L. Vincent, Ph.D., EPC, loves leaders who love leaders.

He continues to grow his capacity for wise advising, artful facilitation, and client-specific presentations. Learn more about what commitment to the hope of our grandchildren's grandchildren looks like at www.maestrolevelleaders.com.

Mark has founded?Maestro-level leaders,?Design Group International,?and the?Society for Process Consulting, authored the book Listening Helping Learning, and?is a host of the?Third Turn Podcast,?