Apology nation

So sorry. Two little words, a phrase we probably all learned before we turned 2. They can be hard words to say, but so often they're tossed around in a fashion that obscures their meaning. The lady at the grocery store who nudges you out of the way and says it carelessly over her shoulder. The kid who pushes her brother off the slide and throws out a sorry to avoid the stern lecture from her anxious eyed parent.

I think if we said it a little less often we'd all feel it had greater meaning. But it seems our culture is moving more quickly into a world that takes quick offense. And it makes it much harder to teach lessons about humility, respect, and forgiveness to our children.

I tend to worry too much about what others think. I'm constantly censoring myself because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. And when I do speak out, I spend a lot of time worrying about what others think about me—and my opinion.

So here's my call today—let's all spend a little less time judging, a little more time extending that benefit of the doubt, and try to respect others' feelings and opinions. There's much more beauty in a world filled with a variety of opinions, even if they don't match our own ideas and values. Because, without it, how else do we learn?