Have You Ever Told a Friend's Secret to Someone Else: What Did You Do To Make It Right? (1340 hits)
I told my Friend’s secret. How do I Make Amends? Date: Friday, June 13, 2008 Cut & Pasted From Tom Joyner Morning Show's Website
Q:
Dear Valorie,
I am a really big fan of your work. I have all five of your books and subscribe to your weekly newsletter. I have a problem and I need your assistance on making it right! My best friend is going through a divorce and it’s getting really, really ugly! Well I spoke about it to someone else – kind of just speaking before thinking. I felt really bad and I told her what I did, and she’s very disappointed and upset with me (which she has every reason to be). Valorie, can you give me some advice because I am disappointed and upset with myself that I hurt and betrayed my best friend and I really want to make this right.
A:
Apologize sincerely to your friend, and tell her why you are sorry. In other words, tell her you realize you betrayed her trust, it was wrong to discuss her private matter with someone else, and that you won't do it again. Don't make any excuses. Simply acknowledge that you were wrong, why you were wrong and ask her forgiveness. Understand that she may not forgive you right away. Give her space if she needs it. Then make sure that you uphold your promise to be trusted in the future by being sure not to repeat the same mistake.
Also, forgive yourself. Learn the lesson being offered from this situation so that you will be a better, wiser friend because you've been through this. We all make mistakes sometimes in our friendships. The key is to learn from them.
I honestly can't say that I have ever told a friend's secret because as the saying goes back home in South Carolina, "I know how to hold water (in my mouth)."
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 5:33PM
Jen Fad