Sit down. Sit down and think; think about that
time you hurt someone, intentionally or otherwise. Did the person deserve it?
Think about that time when you walked past a beggar on the street, commenting
on how he/she could use his/her physical capability to work instead of begging.
Do you know his/her story? Think about that time when you sneered at a girl/boy
because they were heartbroken due to a break up. Did you feel that pain? Think
about that time when you insulted a person publicly because they lost their temper at you for something they were going through. Was the person not worthy of
forgiveness? Think about that time when you gossiped about another person’s
dressing sense. Do you know why they dress the way they do? Think about the
time when you made fun of a person who wasn't able to get over someone. Were
you the one who was attached? Think about the time when you made fun of a
person’s diction. How good is your diction? Think about the time when you
talked about an emotional person. Is it wrong to be emotional? Think about the
times when you talked behind a person because they tattooed their lover’s name.
Did they tattoo their lover’s name on your skin? Think about the time when you
bashed a person on his theistic/atheistic views. Don’t you have your views too? Think
about that time when you found out that your teacher had a child without marriage
and gossiped on that. Was that necessary on your part to comment on another
person's choice? Think about that time when you made fun of your submissive
friend. Is being submissive really that wrong? Think about that time when you
took advantage of someone’s goodness. What if someone did that to you? Think
about the time when you cheated on someone. Was cheating necessary? Think about
the time when you made fun of someone by calling them a nerd. Is being a nerd a
bad thing? Think about that time when you found out that someone you knew was a
prostitute and stopped respecting them as a person because of that simple
reason. Does being in prostitution mean that the person is bad? Think; think
about all those times when you counselled your friend on not wearing a Burqa to
college simply because it’s an all-girls college. Do you know for sure that she
wore the Burqa because it was imposed or that it was her choice? Think about
all those times when you made a person feel small. Why did you do that? Think
about all those times when you judged a person based on zero knowledge about
them. Who handed you the right to do that? Think.
Now
place yourself in their shoes. Would you appreciate a person if they treated
you the way you treated these people? No, right? Are these people who you
mistreated, still your friend? Yeah? Now, would you be a friend to someone if
they were a version of you that you were to them?
Have
you ever apologized to them for the way you treated them? Have you ever said
sorry? Sit down and think; think about why you didn't if they deserved that
sorry or an act of forgiveness.
