sand or stone

A story tells of two friends who were walking through the desert.

During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.

After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away."

"But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

compassionate apology

"Never ruin an apology with an excuse."
~ Kimberly Johnson

Today I must face a colleague to whom I owe an apology. My stomach turns with regret of actions I had chosen to take.

I have no excuse, though it is tempting to conjure one up. Why? Do I think it will make me look better? Feel better? I am aware of the illusion that it will somehow appease the offended, but really it's all about appeasing the guilt within.

Instead, I choose the path of integrity. Standing tall, I choose to return to a place of heartfelt kindness. My apology comes from a place of compassion that I have been rude to another human being.

No need for excuses, just kindness.

reactions

Interesting to observe those to whom I tell my mouse story. One of two reactions: a disgusted "ewww", or sadistic laughter and a "squashed mouse" story of their own.

Strange beings, these humans.