My husband Mark’s feedback to that last post on The Art of Apologizing ~ In 5 Calming Breaths? “Way too long!”

Fortunately for me, I know Mark loves me and his criticisms are usually on the mark (pardon the pun!). That last post  was a whopper.

“It’s tough for folks to get through all that – you need to bite-size ‘em,” he says.

True.

So here’s my apology to you in advance.

If you subscribe, you will notice five more emails, over the next five days, in the form of five tighter “Art of Apologizing” posts. I’m publishing them  “one calming breath at a time.”  I’ve added in a small segment on how each step fosters personal growth – for people on both sides of the incident. I truly believe that each one of us has a choice, in any given moment, about how we perceive, and tell ourselves the story about,  what is going on around us.

My process is not for the faint of heart. It’s a big ask for both parties. But it will, when practiced  over time, build character and eliminate the victim/bully dynamic that can often creep into to relationship dynamics.

You may feel frustrated (“Wish Gemma would think her stuff through more before she lobs it out there); and irritated “(Too much from her already”).  Please know I am genuinely sorry. It would be much better if I pre-planned more and tightened things up from the get-go. Totally avoidable.  Before you unsubscribe in a fit of pique, is there anything I can do to woo back your loyalty?

OK.

I’m applying some heavy editing. The first of the newly scripted five posts will come over soon.

Gemma