Reconciliation

While we usually think of willingness to accept responsibility as being the subject of the day for healing a rift, its counterpart is equally important to healthy relationship. Articulated by psychologist John Gottman, it is the ability to repair. Much is made of being able to apologize (sincerely!), to acknowledge one’s own screw-up, to initiate the repair; but less is made of the ability to accept the attempt. This is forgiveness in action in the everyday, for the myriad infractions we commit against each other as humans bumbling along in a fallen world. The more severe the offense the more difficult the acceptance, but the dynamic remains the same. Following are excellent illustrations of the elegance and power of the gracious acceptance of a sincere attempt at amends.

Examples of Reconciliation in Film

“reconciliation.” The Free Dictionary by Farlex. 18 Dec. 2011. <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/reconciliation>.