I have been entertaining the idea/ metaphor/ symbolism of the tree  as the self-

 The world tree- as within , so without.  Microcosm /macrocosm 
The roots - the stability , the foundation . Balance

This is a great Agreement to master with one's self

Dont say "Sorry" . Say " Thank you for showing me as I am "

No need for apologies , just a recognition of what we are thinking / feeling / doing .Once we acknowledge how we are , we can then proceed to thank the other who has shown us , for enlightening us and helping us to grow as we are now  self aware  . Awareness is the light of consciousness ! Wherever we shine our light of consciousness the darkness and the dark parts of us are illuminated and can be owned and become part of the whole .Then comes self forgiveness ...no need to seek forgivness from others for that doesn't free us ...what frees us is our ability to accept how we are , how we have been and guess what ...love ourselves anyway , regardless . We can then move on, let go and proceed with a bit more self belief , and the darker parts no longer have so much power and domination over us and we need not hide from ourselves anymore