When encountering an onerous situation,

what matters is what we choose to think and do.

For all those who know this and have no trouble ignoring situations that distract or frustrate you, I have good news. You get to skip today’s lesson!

For the rest of us, let’s proceed with our blatantly obvious—but really difficult to pull-off—piece of advice.

So, the past is over. Okay.

We can’t fix it. Understood.

All we can do is learn and move on. Got this one, too.

Then what’s our problem? We can’t let go!

We can’t dismiss the grievances, guilt, embarrassment, all the painful memories that seemingly arise from out of nowhere. Just when things are going well and we feel happy, they resurface. And once again, we get carried away, unable to stop an all-too-familiar runaway train of thoughts that appears more regularly than the bullet trains of Japan.

But let go we must. Every single moment, at every turn. Whether the memory is an upsetting one or a good one. Just keep letting go, gently, but firmly. And with persistence! Things will get better.

If anything I have said or done 

has offended you, 

please forgive me.”

 Wow!

How many of us have the strength of character—not to mention the courage—to look another person in the eye and say the above? The simplicity of the words notwithstanding, it is incredibly personal. A person sincere in what they say, including an apology, will do so while looking unguardedly at the other person in the eye.

Sounds daunting?

Okay, perhaps before you ponder its significance, picture being on the receiving side of this apology. “If anything I have said or done has offended you, please forgive me.” Imagine how blown away you’d be!

Your petty resentments just dissolve into nothingness.

Your pent-up irritation. Poof!

Your anger? Gone.

Who can stay angry at someone who so honestly—and humbly—wants to apologize? Impossible! This is the power of an apology sincerely meant and humbly given.