Of all the things I dread doing, saying sorry scares me most. I only take comfort in the fact that I’m not the only one whose mouth runs dry when it’s time to eat some humble pie.

To help out folks like me who find remorse unsettling, some experts share some face-saving tips that’ll make it a bit easier for us to say sorry:

1.

I am transfixed by the quickie health segments on evening news programs. But, after my doctor laughed at me when I asked if avian flu was still around, I began to think that I shouldn’t depend on the TV as my only source of information.

Inspired by his girlfriend, my friend Ryan, known for his ability to eat six hotdogs in one go, was all for turning vegetarian. Impassioned, as well as alarmed over his blood pressure, he formally announced via e-mail that he was going to “go cold turkey” on meat.

My recent debacle with my brother Jason had my mom in a tizzy. Her Internet-savvy best friend (who reads my posts) called her up to ask if all was well between Jason and me. You see, as kids we were quite notorious for our sibling rivalry.

My precocious five-year-old nephew, Karl, threw me a question that had me flabbergasted. Munching on some roasted peanuts while we waited for my brother Nick to pick him up, he suddenly asked, “Uncle Bean, what’s a white lie?”

My mind went blank for a few seconds.

Have you ever felt like your mind’s been frozen?

I just lazed around my place over the weekend. I spent my Friday and Saturday nights eating steamed mushroom dumplings and stir-fried vegetables as I surfed the TV channels. I was dozing in bed by nine o’ clock on Sunday night.

The Olympics are in full swing in Beijing, China and, of course, everyone gets excited when the medals are tallied. Even so, I hope we don’t just focus on who’s got the most gold, silver, or bronze.

Sure, the athletes who take home medals deserve to get a lot of media coverage for standing out.

My brother Jason and I were hanging out at our parents’ house when he suddenly asked me, “That guy in Pineapple Express is the same one who plays Cyclops on X-Men, right?” I winced before I said, “You are so wrong. That’s James Franco.

Over 100 million people have received this letter.

It was a single page in length. It asked the reader for a mere $2. It generated over 100 million dollars in gross sales.

I’m referring to the famous “Coat of Arms Letter” which was written by a man who started a massive business (he had 40 people just to open envelopes with checks) with the power of his pen alone.

The entrepreneur in question was the incomparable (and very sadly, late) Gary Halbert.

I got to know Gary pretty well before he passed away and I cherish every single conversation we had.

In the course of one of our many conversations he revealed to me what made this letter “tick.”

I’d like to reveal two of the key secrets here …

“Hidden Persuaders”

Here’s an example:

“Dear Mr.

Both of these men have lived through 5 severe economic recessions and prospered lavishly throughout each.

While others were scrimping and saving these two men were living lavish champagne and caviar lifestyles in the world’s most exotic locations.

How did this happen?

Over the next several posts in this series, I will not only tell you their stories but also how you can duplicate their success using some very simple techniques.

(Note that I said “simple” - not “easy” - these men did not get a lion’s reward by doing lamb’s work.)

Now look, the recession is no laughing matter so I don’t mean to take this lightly.