Asking For Forgiveness …. Part 5. Special Cases and Situations

All that has been mentioned so far is about asking for forgiveness from one person in the present. What follows are guidelines for special cases and situations.

1. What if your action or words hurt more than one person or even a group of people together? This can happen at home or in the

In the home situation, it can lead to great unhappiness if not corrected. If possible, ask for forgiveness from all members at one go, or individually, it matters not. What does matter is that you take the steps to redress the wrong. The result will be worth the discomfort you might feel while asking for forgiveness.

As an employer or boss, you may have hurt your employees. You will probably be reluctant to admit to them that you were wrong. You may feel it will cost you loss of face big time! What do you do? I still maintain that going through the steps and admitting to your juniors that you were wrong is the way. You may have the fear that you will lose their respect if you apologise —- but don’t pay attention to that voice —-

it is only your ego trying to assert itself. Just take a deep breath and go through steps 1, 2, 3 and 4. Say you are sorry to have upset their feelings and say it genuinely.

You will be surprised at how easily you will be forgiven …. After all you are the boss! And the whole exercise will endear you to your colleagues and employees like nothing else will. You might even find that the bonding between all of you has strengthened to a new level of closeness and teamwork.

2. What if you are the older person and you have hurt a person younger than you. In the Indian context, a younger person is supposed to ask for forgiveness, never the other way around. But that according to me can become a breeding ground for discontent and resentment. Why should the younger person be made to feel wrong all the time, when the older person is clearly to blame? If you are the older person, be honest about the whole situation: is it you who committed the wrong? Is it? No If sand Buts! If the answer is yes, then take responsibility! Then as painful as it may be, face the other person, admit it, communicate your regret at your mistake, and make good the amends! Once again, you will be surprised at the result. It will probably surpass all your expectations! I am betting that not only will the younger person forgive you unreservedly, but they will love you forever!

Next week: Special Cases and Situations contd.

Kamal Tolia

Founder Member

Lotus Healing Seva Group