WHILST OUR EXCUSES MAYBE VALID…….

For those who know me, would definitely say, I am not one who sits to watch a war movie till the end. Violence and pain are not source of adrenaline or entertainment for me; nevertheless, having watched the movie BATTLE LOS ANGELES till the end, I couldn’t help but admire the courage and dedication displayed in the characters of the movie. The battle may not have been real and there may have many video effects, stunts etc but the moral of the story was subtle. I was touched by the act at the end of the film when the soldiers, despite having been out at battle with high technologically advanced aliens, declined to have breakfast and took up new arms to continue their duty- right back into the heart of fire. Many would argue that the ration of the lives of the soldiers that were lost in battle was greater than the civilians rescued. While they may have a point in their argument, isn’t life just the same way?

Let’s start by saying, that had it been me, I would have taken the time to find a spot not reached by the aliens and take the longest sleep or brunch ever after such a grueling battle. I would find excuses to justify my stand and try to say, “at least I contributed- saved some lives”, “let the others take over”. Well, that’s just how human nature works. We search for excuses on why our lives aren’t going the way we want it to go and how someone else is to blame and look for the nearest spa to take time and rest from the chaos. While I agree that times come when we feel exhausted and spa maybe a good idea, what happens to the promises and vows we made? To some the vows may have been made to business partners, spouses or family or even friends. When the going gets tough and excuses could be acceptable, what do we do?

Do we fore go the breakfast offered and stick by those we love and care for or do we bail?  Whilst our loved ones could forgive us for the vows we can’t keep during rough patches of our lives, do we take advantage of the opportunity or do we stick by them through thick and thin? When your marriage may not be as rosy as was promised or your income flow is shaken or disease steals its way into our lives, do we say, “honey, blame my erratic behavior or drunkenness on the situation?” While our excuses maybe valid, why don’t we love as though the next breath would be our last and live as though tomorrow may never come. I know what I would do now that I am a little wiser- what about you !

WHEN SORRY IS NOT ENOUGH…………….

It’s without a doubt that most of us have often found ourselves on the other end of the table across a party we have wronged or hurt by our action, words or lack of action. For those who are lucky to have never been on the ‘accused’ side of the table, what I write tonight may not make much sense to you. The other day, I was in a situation where I gravely wronged a dear friend of mine with my defiance or rather stubborn actions and it cost me their friendship. It’s unfortunate that it was the result of the unfortunate happening but I fully accept the consequences of my actions. I am not making a public apology rather I would love to talk about those times when words of apology aren’t enough. When we say sorry or even use simple and complex sentences to apologize to those we have wronged only to be turned away.

What happens when the hearts of the ‘plaintiffs’ are hardened and we have no access to their ears let alone their hearts. The times when we may want to prove that we are worth a second chance but are denied the audience to prove so. We may try words of poetry, songs, or even serenades for those of us who are musicians but what happens when their hurt doesn’t thaw? How do we get across to those we love or care about when they just can’t trust a single word we say?

Do we move and coil our tails between our hind legs as wounded dogs do or do we hope that someday we will be forgiven? Do we tell ourselves, alas, “at least I tried”? Time may move slowly as the feeling of remorse grips our senses while the reality of loosing those close to our hearts dawns our minds. Likewise, the shadows on the walls and the ground may be all we have left whilst the silence of the hollowness left behind deafens us, yet still no reply to our emails, text or missed phone calls.

My topic tonight is to appeal to those hearts that hurt to consider genuine apologies and not let their ego cost them relationships they once valued. Humanity is flawed and often we loose track of what is right or wrong and can only hope that our mistakes are not too grave to cost us a second chance in the lives of those we love. So for those remorseful hearts that read my blog tonight, swallow your pride and use the simplest words and actions to express your desire to be given a second chance. As for those hearts that are hurt, when the pain thaws, give a listening ear and be merciful to grant a second chance. We are all prone to mistakes and even though at times ‘sorry seems to be the hardest thing’ or ‘doesn’t seem enough’; it maybe the simplest way to express the heaviness of our remorseful hearts!