Great Relationship Advice: The Ability to Apologize and Forgive

I'm sorry can be words that are much too easy to say. The notion of apology and forgiveness in relationships takes "I'm sorry" into new territory that can be very healing and actually have meaning.

The ability to apologize and to forgive is crucial to any long-term relationship. Many of us find it difficult to apologize.

In order for an apology to be genuine, at least three elements need to be present:

1) genuine remorse

2) a commitment to 'turning away' from similar behavior in the future

3) a willingness to make whatever amends might be necessary

Forgiveness can be very healing, and very difficult

There are many times in long term relationships when you just do not feel like forgiving. Forgiveness, much like genuine love, is an act of will, not just a feeling. When you forgive someone, you're not condoning his or her behavior. Your forgiveness releases you from the pain and hurt of that person's actions.

In long-term relationships there are two important parts to apology and forgiveness. The first is to clean up and put aside any old hurts and resentments. The second part involves keeping the slate clean. As issues come up, apologize, forgive and move on.

One last tip - forgive as much, or more, as you would like to be forgiven.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

---

Single in a Couples World

Advertising for St. Valentine's Day seemed more relentless than ever... Read More

Improve Relationships With Style

Have you ever felt that relationships are messy? These messes,... Read More

Squashing the Gay Relationship Killer Known As Jealousy

IntroductionYou might feel it when that hot stud across the... Read More

Great Relationships: Checkbook Battles and How to Solve Them

"You can't hold on to a dime. Do you own... Read More

Couples - Learn to Work Together to Solve Problems

Q. There has to be some way around the continuing... Read More

Great Relationships: How to Solve Problems and Have Fun Too

I recently came across this quote:"There is a time in... Read More

Feel Like a (Romantic) Kid Again

If the start of the school year makes you a... Read More

How Do I Get Him or Her To Talk To Me?!!!

This is a common concern in our society for single... Read More

Relationship Advice: Top 2 Secret Ways To Become Irresistibly Magnetic To Your Wife

According to new studies 5 out of 10 marriages will... Read More

The Secret Power of Romance and How It Can Work for You

There are some men who will never understand the importance... Read More

Russian Brides - Who Are They?

In recent years, thousands of young Russian and Ukrainian women... Read More

Relationship Tips 101

In this article I'd like to share what the research... Read More

Proper Flower Etiquette

Flowers are great gifts for practically any occasion, but there... Read More

Girl Talk - Boy Talk

Chas and Dave wrote a song about it and how... Read More

When Your Relationships Turn Abusive - What You Can Do

Sometimes the people who are the closest to us, our... Read More

The Sting of Infidelity Isnt that Bad! Right? Is it?

1. Sleepless nights are part of a victims' experience... Read More

The Five Second Flirt Technique

The first thing you want to do is to get... Read More

[Conflict Resolution] The Philosophy of Fear and Confrontation

Is there now, or has there been, a person or... Read More

Celebrate Friendship Day with Fresh Flowers!

Send flowers this Friendship Day, Sunday, August 7th! Across the... Read More

A Kiss is Never Just a Kiss!

"Kiss: a secret told to the mouth instead of to... Read More

When Groucho Marx Got It Right

Groucho Marx was, I believe, a comic genius; a linguistic... Read More

Revenge ? Serve It Cold!

Whether you caught him in bed with the local bimbo,... Read More

You Have to Probe Deeper: Why First Impressions Are Dangerous

Do you remember when, as a small child at a... Read More

Office Nomance

Are Office Romance's really that bad? The answer is ?..it... Read More

Relationships: Last a Lifetime

Stepping into a new position brought along a few surprises.... Read More

Is Your Negative Thinking Scaring Off Your Soul Mates?

Francine Bonnecelli* swore off relationships the day her husband of... Read More

10 Reasons Why Married Couples Grow Apart (Part II)

This is a continuation of part one of this article... Read More

Relationships Technology

The notion that there can be a technology of relationships... Read More

How to Create a Solid Foundation for Loving Relationships

What does real love look like? The way we act... Read More

A Dream of the Perfect Partner

Your dream is so beautiful and it is never to... Read More

Top Ten List of What to Do and What Not to Do in Relationships

Most of us who have been intimately involved with someone... Read More

Relationship Conflict: The 3 Cs of Resolving Conflict

"And they lived happily ever after.........."Yeah right.Perhaps I'm a little... Read More

Relationship Spring Cleaning by Susan Sheppard

History doesn't belong in a relationship that is presentMy friend,... Read More