Isaac Mwaniki

There are two difficult phrases to say. These happen to be a source of frustration and mistrust among a group of people living together. Both these phrases are tri worded. These phrases are, “I love you” and “I am sorry”. They are both very short statements but their impact can change a course of life.

Whenever we find ourselves in a position of the offender, the easier way out is to justify our position and hope that people will understand. At the same time, we find it difficult to accept offence from other people. As long as we are not the offended, others need to understand that to error is human. Talk of a judge in his own case.

Both these statements have a way of bringing us down from our pride. In the first phrase, we risk rejection and being heartbroken. It is placing our future prospects on the decision of another individual. This is not a very comfortable feeling. The major motivation is the hope that the love will be reciprocated.

In the second phrase, we bow to a position of accepting that we are wrong. It means accepting responsibility for our failures. This is also not a comfortable feeling. We are left once again at the mercies of the offended person to accept our apologies.

Life would be a better place if we said these statements as frequently as they apply. A lot of bitterness would be avoided if especially the second phrase is used more frequently.

When is the last time you asked for forgiveness from someone? When was the last time that you felt somebody owed you an apology? "Do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you", advises the Good Teacher.