Contrary to your own belief, you are not a god.

I know, I know, it's hard to believe. You're just so stinking excellent in so many ways. But it's true. I am not a god, you are not a god. We're humans. Just humans.

Do you know what that means?

We're also incredibly flawed. We make mistakes, and sometimes in doing so, we hurt ourselves. Sometimes, our mistakes hurt other people. It sucks. Causing another person pain absolutely sucks. If you don't feel remorse for hurting other people, you, my friend, also suck.

Fortunately, the English language has a word for us when we have caused pain and hope to turn things around: Sorry.

It's an acknowledgement that you are aware you did someone wrong and a promise to act more responsibly in the future.

To be even more effective, make it a complete sentence: I'm sorry.

It's a powerful phrase. Don't use it unless you mean it, and don't use it unless you are making an effort to change your ways.

You are allowed to apologize. Apologizing will not kill you, and it does not make you weak. Actually, its effect should be quite the opposite: it should make you feel alive and strong.

It is only the first step to improving your life and your relationship with the person you harmed, but it's an important step.

There is a catch, though: you're going to have to acknowledge that you are not a god, and the universe does not actually revolve around you. But isn't that a relief? Humans have far fewer responsibilities.

Right now, apologizing is one of them. And you're allowed to do it.