The Power of a Simple "Sorry" By Junaid Tahir Yesterday morning, as I was getting ready for work, I stood brushing my teeth in...

The Power of a Simple "Sorry"

By Junaid Tahir

Yesterday morning, as I was getting ready for work, I stood brushing my teeth in front of the mirror. Unaware that my 3-year-old daughter, Hadia, was standing right behind me, I stepped back slightly and accidentally bumped into her. With the toothbrush still in my mouth, I couldn't say anything right away — not even a quick "sorry."

Hadia, having recently learned about using words like “thank you” and “sorry” from her school teacher, was eagerly expecting an apology from me. But in that brief moment of silence, she didn't understand why her father wasn't saying sorry. She waited for a few seconds... and when I didn’t respond, her little heart broke. She burst into tears.

Realizing what had just happened, I quickly finished brushing, bent down, kissed her, and lovingly said “sorry.” As children do, she immediately forgave me and was back to her cheerful self. We went on to enjoy a beautiful breakfast together. 😊

A Moment of Reflection

Later, I reflected on the incident and realized something profound:

In our everyday relationships — with friends, family, colleagues — we often forget to say sorry, even when we’re at fault.

We may dismiss our mistakes as minor, assuming the other person will "get over it," or we may simply be too proud or distracted to apologize. However, while we delay or ignore, the other person might be waiting, hurt, and silently expecting closure.

The Cost of Not Apologizing

When we neglect to acknowledge our missteps, it creates emotional distance. Relationships begin to feel strained. Over time, this can lead to arguments, misunderstandings, or even complete breakdowns in connection — just because we missed that one small opportunity to say, “I’m sorry.”

A Call for Emotional Intelligence

This experience reminded me how crucial it is to:

Improve our emotional intelligence – the ability to recognize and manage our own emotions, and respond wisely to the emotions of others
Practice empathy – stepping into someone else’s shoes to understand their feelings
Cultivate trust – which is built through small, sincere gestures like apologies, appreciation, and respect

Final Thought

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple word — “sorry” — to heal a heart, repair a bond, or make someone feel valued. Let’s not let our pride or distractions rob us of that power. Whether it’s a child, a spouse, a friend, or a colleague, never underestimate the impact of an honest apology.

(Article Published Urdu News Jeddah, KSA)

About Author: Junaid Tahir is a passionate blogger. He writes articles on Leadership, Stress Management and Life Enhancement subjects at his personal blog