Apologizing isn’t always easy. Admitting we were wrong, or that we said or did something to hurt someone, is a humbling experience. But there comes a time when each of us must face this truth, and when we do, we should make our apology just as loud as our offense.

Too often, apologies are mumbled or whispered, offered in hushed tones or hidden behind a wall of shame. But a true apology calls for courage and clarity. It should be voiced with the same strength and presence as the offense itself.

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Before the Apology

Before I started walking this path, I almost never apologized. I always found a way to justify my behavior—no matter how wrong it was. My thinking back then convinced me that not only did I not owe anyone an apology, but maybe they owed me one. But deep down, I knew better. That unspoken guilt festered and fed into the narrative that I wasn’t a good person.

Living that way kept me sick and stuck in the darkness. When I committed to getting well and living with rigorous honesty, the weight of my past came into focus. I saw the damage I had caused and realized how many apologies I owed. And not just whispered apologies—real ones, offered with the strength of my voice and the fullness of my heart.

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Learning to Apologize

I learned that an apology couldn’t be self-serving. It wasn’t about making myself feel better or easing my guilt. It wasn’t about forcing the other person to forgive me. It was about owning my part—completely and honestly.

I also learned that timing and sincerity matter. Apologies should be made when we are truly ready to take full responsibility, with no excuses or attempts to share the blame. I had to keep my side of the street clean, and that included owning my part, no matter how small it seemed.

Standing up and apologizing with the same intensity as the offense wasn’t easy. But it was healing. Over time, those sincere apologies helped mend relationships and build self-respect. They also taught me to think twice before slipping back into old behaviors.

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A Path to Growth

Admitting where we were wrong might feel uncomfortable, but living with the guilt and damage of unacknowledged actions is far worse. An apology should come from a sincere heart and be delivered with clarity and conviction.

When we take responsibility and apologize with strength, we show respect for the person we wronged and for ourselves. And when we can’t directly make amends, we commit to changing the behaviors that led us there.

As SLAYERS, we don’t shy away from our mistakes. We stand tall, admit when we’re wrong, and use each apology as an opportunity to grow stronger and more self-aware.

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SLAY OF THE DAY:

• Do you find it hard to apologize when you’re wrong?

• Do you acknowledge your part, or do you place the blame on others?

• How many times have you had to apologize for the same behavior?

• Who do you owe an apology to today? What’s stopping you?

• When was the last time you apologized, and how did that feel?

• How did the other person respond? How did that change your relationship?

• When was the last time someone apologized to you? How did that make you feel?

Use each apology as a stepping stone to becoming stronger, more self-aware, and more connected with others. SLAY on.

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Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one apology you’ve been holding back?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s lift each other up.

And if you know someone who needs to hear this, send it to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge.