How to Apologize

Mistakes are essential to your growth in life, if you recognize them and correct them. Do not fear them -- you need them.

When you make mistakes, how do you respond? If your mistake leaves a trail of hurt and destruction in the lives of others, do you make amends and apologize with actions and empathy?

As anyone can tell you, apologies don't always work... At times they seem to fall on deaf ears. But more often than not, our apologies fall flat because we apologize the wrong way.

Acknowledging our wrongdoings reduces the personal baggage we carry around with us, sometimes for many decades.

There is an art and craft to a proper apology and research has shown that apologizing in a heartfelt way can help you to reduce stress and alleviate guilt.

With Groundhog Day rapidly approaching, my mind has turned to the elusive do-over and the 1993 Bill Murray flick. When something in your life goes terribly wrong, it is possible to fix it.

It's been a month now since American pop culture witnessed three consecutive bursts of public anger. Serena Williams, wielding her racquet as a weapon at the U.S. Open, kick-started a week in which Kanye West stole the microphone from young, doll-faced Taylor Swift at the MTV Awards, and ended with Congressman Joe Wilson shouting down the President of the United States like a British heckler.

Despite what that old chestnut Love Story will have you believe, love doesn't mean never having to say you're sorry. In fact, one of the most importan...