“If anything I have said or done 

has offended you, 

please forgive me.” 

Wow! How many of us have the strength of character—not to mention the courage—to look another person in the eye and say the above?

The simplicity of the words notwithstanding, it is incredibly personal. The person who sincerely means what they say will do so while looking unguardedly the other person in the eye. Sounds daunting?

Okay, perhaps before you try to figure out whether this is something worth working on, picture being on the receiving side of this apology. “If anything . . . offended you . . . forgive me.” Imagine how blown away you’d be!

Your petty resentments just dissolve into nothingness.

Your pent-up irritation. Poof!

Your anger? Gone.

Who can stay angry at someone who so honestly—and humbly—wants to apologize? Impossible! This is the power of an apology sincerely meant and humbly given.