Reflections...

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"

The age old saying by some unknown dude has been going through my head all this week.

Its pretty crazy how much a stupid comment can damage a person. Last weekend I made a simple stupid remark/sarcastic payout to a mate that I didn't think much of, but have since realised how deeply hurt he was by it, to which I feel a lot of remorse. I have since apologised, which has been accepted yet doesn't take away from what I have said.

Another circumstance where again I made a stupid remark, yet was also instantly remorseful/apologetic, was 10 years ago when I was in year 7 where I told a schoolfriend about something my best friend mentioned to me about a girl he liked. This 'friend' then decided it was hillarious and then went about telling the whole class. This resulted in my best friend becoming VERY upset stating that he would never forgive me again. He avoided me like the plague since and I suppose as almost a kind of 'karma*' gave me heaps of crap during my middle schooling, Our friendship deteriorated and we havent really had anything to do with each other since.

Whilst on both occasions many would view as very minimal negative comments/remarks, it still had an impact on these two people, and although I have been genuinely apologetic about it, things havent been the same. If either of you are reading this, yet again I am sorry for the words that left my mouth.

I suppose now it comes down to grudges forgiveness on their part, which I personally try not to have as firstly grudges destroy not only others, but yourself. And also the following scriptures I view as an essential mindset

Colossians 3:13
"bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive"

Ephesians 4:26
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger"

I am aspiring to be as selfless/humble as possible, but as mentioned I still have my days where I fall. I realise it is unachievable to completely fulfill these values as I am still stuck in the sinful nature of mankind, yet if everyone had an aspiration to put others before them I believe the world would definately be a better place.

It's so easy to bag/payout someone as it comes naturally. Complimenting/encouraging each other is a difficult thing to do, but I'm willing to attempt to do it more frequently

1Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

*No I'm not buddist, no I don't believe in karma .. it just flowed