You can't talk your way out of a situation you acted you way into.

An effective apology focuses more on compassion for the victim than redemption for the offender.

When we apologize we end our struggle with history.

Apology may be scorned, but it retains its inherent value.

Accepting the apology signals the acknowledgment of a need to move forward, but not necessarily together.

"I would like to apologize" may sound like an apology, but it is no more an actual apology than saying "I would like to lose weight" makes you suddenly slimmer.

When I accept an apology it means that the part in me that honors our relationship honors the part in you that honors our relationship.