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I read something recently that changed my life for the better.

Jkca1

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Feeling guilty about something? If what you did was considered a crime, how long would your sentence be until you had served your time and were a free man/woman? Many of us punish ourselves for years/decades over things we screwed up, some that are trivial, some not. Convicts have a set amount of time to serve for committing crimes, and then they are set free. Give yourself that same option. If you screwed up something you did or didn't do, ask yourself if the recurring guilt were to equate to a crime, have you served your sentence? If you have, then forgive yourself and move on. It's that easy. And if a negative thought pops back into your mind just remember that you have served your time and you are free to move on. It worked for me, and I hope it can work for you.
 
I see the logic and futility of reliving times my actions were less than stellar and yet occasionally I dwell and have regrets. Then I think of the times my behavior was stellar and I did the right thing. I don't have a scale it only evens out somewhat in my mind.

If I did do something really bad like get intoxicated and drive the school bus into a swamp and kids died that might carry a life sentence. I'd deserve to be wracked with guilt.
 
Dying to know what you did. ;)

Edit: Seriously though, that doesn't work if what you did wasn't a crime - maybe a harsh word to a loved one you wish you hadn't said, or wishing you'd been more present when your children were little?
 
I see the logic and futility of reliving times my actions were less than stellar and yet occasionally I dwell and have regrets. Then I think of the times my behavior was stellar and I did the right thing. I don't have a scale it only evens out somewhat in my mind.

If I did do something really bad like get intoxicated and drive the school bus into a swamp and kids died that might carry a life sentence. I'd deserve to be wracked with guilt.
If you did drive intoxicated into a school bus and kill children, the law would almost certainly hold you to a life sentence. So I believe the guilt would be warranted.
 
Dying to know what you did. ;)

Edit: Seriously though, that doesn't work if what you did wasn't a crime - maybe a harsh word to a loved one you wish you hadn't said, or wishing you'd been more present when your children were little?
None of my guilt was from criminal actions. I wish I had been a better person in many different situations, but the time to feel guilty about those actions has passed.
 
None of my guilt was from criminal actions. I wish I had been a better person in many different situations, but the time to feel guilty about those actions has passed.
Ah ok. My point being, I have some regrets but your analogy of "if it were a crime then "after an amount of time analagous to a prison sentence you should drop it" doesn't really work. But learning to let go is certainly a worthy ability.
 
If you did drive intoxicated into a school bus and kill children, the law would almost certainly hold you to a life sentence. So I believe the guilt would be warranted.
Exactly.
 
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