RIFLE RANGE BOY

Really? People always say that sorry seems to be the hardest word. We are all so encrusted that in our hard-shelled egos that by admitting our mistakes, we value ourselves much less. And our psyche takes a dent so hard that we want to shrivel up and disappear! Hence, when a person comes down his high and mighty horse to eat humble pie, he is admired for his virtuous act. It sounds all dandy but it is really not so simple. Of late, however, what we see insincere utterance of apologies just for the sake of it. How many times have we seen drivers driving under the intoxicants causing major catastrophes and all they can say is, "I am sorry!" Some lackadaisical teenage would have elbowed an antique, just to apologise, as if by doing so, the broken menagerie would somehow miraculously glue together as if like magic! Yes, people say sorry without really meaning it. They know that the tragedy is no skin off their back and all the hardship is for others to endure. ...

I remember a time when people were reminded that saying sorry may change many things. People were reminded that saying sorry is the hardest thing. That it is hard to say sorry and sorry is the hardest word. At least, that is what Elton John and the Chicago Transit Authority (a rock band later known as just Chicago) were telling the world. As I grew older and liked to think, also wiser, I soon realised that these thoughts border on naivety. Unfortunately, things are not so easy. Say sorry and expect everything to turn over to a new slate. Say sorry, and the broken vase would somehow mysteriously glue itself together. If only it could be so easy. Then saying sorry would be as easy as saying, 'Hi!'. If breaking the ice was easy, that is. Okay, saying sorry involves more than just vocalising and verbalising. The ego has to be crushed. Pride has to be cast aside. Some people use the fact that it is not easy to apologise for their own advantage. They apologise at every turn a...