USHAURI: JE UNAMPENZI NA HAMPO SAWA KWA NJIA MOJA AU NYENGINE? HIZI HAPA HATUA TANO MUHIMU ZA KUFUATA PINDI UTAKAPO KWENDA OMBA MSAMAHA!

Obviously, the word “sorry” does not quite go down well if you have knowingly cheated with your best friend’s boyfriend or girlfriend or accidentally ruined their best piece of clothing. On the other hand, if you cancelled dinner plans with a friend because you've been asked on a hot date or you accidentally missed your friend’s son or daughter’s birthday, “sorry” might be your only way out.

Personally, I felt an urge to find an article that bothers on forgiveness and saying sorry. Believe me, if you ever hold onto a hurt or wrong done against you, you can’t move forward – you feel a lot better when you forgive or say “I’m sorry” from the depth of your heart.

In this light, there is an art to a proper apology. Research has shown that apologizing in a heartfelt way can help you to reduce stress and alleviate guilt. Here are five simple steps to help you apologize:

1. Take responsibility. Know that if someone is upset with you, it is likely for a good reason. Take the time to reflect on what you might have done to upset them. If you haven’t done anything wrong, then don’t apologize. But, if you have, proceed to step two.

2. Apologize immediately. If you have done something inappropriate, don’t try to justify your position in your mind. Let the other person know immediately that you didn’t mean to upset them. Ideally, doing this face-to-face is most powerful or by phone if they live far away. Avoid doing it in an email or through Facebook.

3. Acknowledge they are upset. Be clear about what you are sorry about. Acknowledge how your lack of awareness has upset them. If you need to explain yourself, only do it to show that you didn’t mean to upset them. Do not try to bring out the pity card, make yourself feel better or to wiggle yourself out of making the apology.

4. Ask for forgiveness. When you ask for forgiveness, let them know that you will not do it again. If they do accept your apology, say thank you and move on.

5. Forgive yourself. If they don’t accept your apology, then there is nothing more you can do. Whether they do or don’t accept your apology, you must let it go. Guilt is only going to harm you internally, so forgive yourself.

If you feel that the circumstance deserves compensation, then do what is appropriate. On the odd occasion you might want to send flowers, take them for dinner or if the situation requires extreme measures, don’t be afraid to lay prostrate on the floor, hang on to their legs and beg for forgiveness.

In any case, remember what Alexander Pope said: “To err is human, to forgive is divine.”