8-11-2026 12:27pm

Making Amends

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

Making amends is probably a good idea at this age. Are you holding onto a grudge? Has it been months, weeks, or even years? Did something just happen? It's never a good thing to hold onto a grudge. It can eat away at us and destroy relationships with a family member or a dear friend. But how do you begin to forgive someone? It takes courage and letting go of our pride. Just for a little while anyway. Most of us want loving, peaceful relationships in our life. If there's someone you want to forgive, here's some insight on how to begin.

Making amends means taking responsibility for past mistakes and taking action to repair the harm caused to others. It also harms you.

What Making Amends Means

Making amends involves acknowledging your actions, taking responsibility, and correcting past wrongs in a sincere and constructive way. It goes beyond simply apologizing; it often includes restitution or corrective actions to restore trust and repair relationships.

Why It Matters

Making amends can reduce stress, prevent future conflicts, and promote personal growth. It helps individuals develop accountability, self-forgiveness, and empathy, while also fostering healing in relationships. It is a transformative process that can strengthen emotional resilience and support long-term recovery or personal development.

Steps to Make Amends

Reflect on Your Actions: Identify who you have harmed and understand the impact of your behavior.

Face Your Feelings: Acknowledge shame, guilt, or defensiveness without letting them prevent you from taking action.

Offer a Sincere Apology: Speak directly to the person, expressing remorse and taking full responsibility. Avoid vague or impersonal apologies.
Be Specific: Clearly state what you did wrong and how it affected the other person.
Make Restitution if Possible: Offer to repair the harm, such as returning what was taken or correcting a mistake.
Listen and Validate: Allow the other person to share their feelings and acknowledge their perspective.
Ask for Forgiveness: Request forgiveness authentically, understanding that it may take time for the other person to respond.
Sustain Change: Demonstrate through actions that you are committed to living differently and avoiding repeating the harm.
Making amends is not only about others; it also supports self-forgiveness and personal integrity.
Avoid making amends if it could cause further harm to the other person or yourself.
By following these steps, making amends becomes a meaningful process of healing, accountability, and relationship restoration, whether in recovery, personal growth, or everyday life.

A friend of mine recently shared a Hawaiian prayer with me. It has all of the elements:

I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

I love you.

Thank you.

You can say this little prayer during meditation or say it out loud. Either way, it can help you forgive yourself and others. You can repeat it a few times to manifest its effect.

Making amends is important because it repairs harm, restores relationships, and frees you from guilt by taking full responsibility and offering concrete actions to make things right. It goes beyond apology by acknowledging specific wrongdoing, avoiding excuses, and actively working to repair damage, which research shows increases self‑forgiveness and healing for everyone involved.

Rimediare. Make amends.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, it's a good idea to forgive and make amends with someone. It does no good for anyone to hold onto bitter feelings. Reach out to that person. Most likely, they'll be glad you did.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

My pick of the week is the annual Blue Grass Festival in Tanner Park in Copiague. This is one of my favorite festivals. It features some incredible musicians in this wonderful park on the Great South Bay. Bring your bango! There are workshops, too.

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week was hearing from a girlfriend that I haven't spoken to in a while. If there's someone you haven't spoken to recently, pick up the phone and call them. Don't text them. It's so good to have an old-fashioned phone chat. Ring a ling!

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: Practicing forgiveness can boost self-esteem and overall life satisfaction.

Italian: Praticare la compassione può aumentare l’autostima e la soddisfazione generale della vita.

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SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK

Wicker adds a warm, earthy touch to a room. It never goes out of style.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you have any wicker furniture in your home?

Please put your answer in the Comment section below. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK

Lyrics

Our world become one of salads and sun
Only a fool would say that
A boy with a plan, a natural man
Wearing a white stetson hat
Unhand that gun begone
There's no one to fire upon
If he's holding it high, he's telling a lie
I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world where all is free
It just couldn't be, and only a fool would say that
The man in the street draggin' his feet
Don't wanna hear the bad news
Imagine your face there is his place
Standing inside his brown shoes
You do his nine to five
Drag yourself home half alive
And there on the screen
A man with a dream
I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world where all is free
It just couldn't be
And only a fool would say that
Anybody on the street
Has murder in his eyes
You feel no pain
And you're younger than you realize
Only a fool would say that
Only a fool
I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world where all is free
It just couldn't be, and only a fool would say that
Only a fool would say that
Only a fool would say that

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MY BRAND - SKYLARK LIVE

I created my brand, Skylark Live, when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature ageing through knowledge and self-awareness. I am open to conducting in-person conversations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be held in someone’s home or at a local library or senior center. To be continued.

Skylark Live Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, 60 and Beyond with Skylark - Living Life Inside and Outside the Home, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, goals, motivation, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I'm open to ideas of what to write about, so let me know. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paid subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each week in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter! You can also become a paying subscriber.

Skylark Live Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog is a recap of the articles I've written in my newsletter throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. You can find some of my vlogs on my YouTube channel. I also post them on my social media platforms. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

$UPPORT ME:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive

Substack - https://substack.com/@christinelarkin1?

Personal Shopper for Interior Decorating Accessories - www.skylarklive.org

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Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!