An effective apology focuses more on compassion for the victim than redemption for the offender.
Apology is not for the faint of heart, but then, neither is life.
Apology may be scorned, but it retains its inherent value.
When we apologize we end our struggle with history.
The purpose of apology is to extend ourselves in such a way that relationships become deeper, and life becomes richer and more human in the process.
We value apology in the abstract, but turn our backs on it in practice.