Human after all

We think we're cool. We think we can handle it. After all, we're in control of all this mess. But we're still vulnerable to all the foibles and follies of all the rest of humanity.

Today, I accidentally personally embarassed someone. They retaliated by very publicly embarrasing me professionally. I, of course, reacted like a stung child- I publicly pointed out the unfairness and childishness of their response. I know, great way to deal with a superior. I immediately regretted how I reacted (like a jerk), but I had other things to do.

Later I got the gumption to go to that person and give them a double apology: once for the inadvertant slight, once for the indended retaliation. They, in turn, said that they were about to find me to apologize for their part as well. In the end, swallowing my pride led to a swift and honorable end. Had I "kept to my guns" I probably would have wounded a valuable realationship. It had the added bonus of reminding me- I'm human, too, and I can only expect forgiveness of my many faults by honestly forgiving the faults in others. Lesson learned.