Want to know the right way to apologize -- and the wrong way? Watch this interview I did recently, and I'll give you five simple steps to apologize correctly.

Making amends doesn't mean that I can have relationships with the people involved, it doesn't mean they will forgive me -- or that the process will be sufficient for them to forgive.

When we forgive others, we let go of our anger, resentment and bitterness, and we free ourselves of a great emotional burden that keeps us stuck in the past, in a perpetual state of perceived victimhood long after having been victimized.

While it is extremely difficult to admit when we make mistakes, honesty and humility are what make for a sincere apology.

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.

If we can just say 'mea culpa' and then feel absolved, isn't it tempting to just be 'culpa' again ... and again? What is the down-side if we get to wipe the slate clean by apologizing?