How many years have to pass before you chalk something up to "mistakes of your past?"

[MrsBugi]

Inspired by this thread.

Do you think that people should be held accountable for "mistakes" they may have made in life (i.e. drugs, porn, etc.) when they were younger... even many years after the fact?

How many years would have to pass before a person could chalk something up to "mistakes of their past," and subsequently move on a changed/different person from it?

 

[Rastus]

I think it depends on if that person really changed because of it.

Some people never learn their lessons.

 

[EyeMWing]

There is a minimum of 1 week.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Me personally immediately, generally speaking, as soon as you learn from it.

 

[Looney]

Well, in Canada it's 4 years after you've completed your sentence, then 2-3yrs for the entire process. So essentially 6-8 years.

 

[Bryophyte]

I tend to beat myself up over mistakes/dumb decisions I made when I was younger, even though I know I shouldn't.

 

[Baked]

People don't change.

 

[compnovice]

IMO, it depends on the mistake... eg murderers never ever!!..... drug addicts...a few months after they quit.....

 

[imported_LoKe]

Whenever I realize it was mistake. I often look back at my past and wonder why the hell I did something when I was younger. Sometimes I wonder what made me think it was a good idea.

 

[aswedc]

Depends completely on context.

Child pornography is a mistake that can never be forgotten for a teacher. On the other hand, as little as two years may be enough for, say, a construction worker.

Likewise the same mistake can mean different things for different jobs. If someone has recently gotten over a drug addiction, they could work in IT immediately as long as they remain clean. But they shouldn't become police officers for years at minimum.

 

[MrsBugi]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I tend to beat myself up over mistakes/dumb decisions I made when I was younger, even though I know I shouldn't.

You aren't alone in that, and no, you shouldn't - what happened happened, and you obviously know the decisions you made when you were younger would not be repeated today, as an adult. It's hard to let go, but it can be very freeing when you are able to do so. Sometimes it helps to try and to help others learn from your mistakes as part of the healing process.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I think it depends on what the mistake is. But I also think the details of most events become hazy after 2-3-4-5- years, so I am inclined to forgive and forget after a few years much more easily than say, two months after a big mistake.

 

[jjones]

You are only accountable to yourself. I tend to learn and move on immediately. If someone else has a problem with that, well, then that's their problem, not mine.

 

[Yossarian]

link to a site where I can buy your porno?

 

[Willoughbyva]

This is something I think about from time to time. I wonder how it is percieved and then there is the actual affect that my thinking has. So it is like what do I think and what does society think? Fortunately I haven't done anything terriably wrong, so it doesn't bother me that much. I know I have made mistakes in my life though and it does bother me, but I have never killed or done any serious harm to anyone. There are things that I would change if I could, but I can't go back in time and change it. The only thing I can do is live each day and try to be mindful of the effects of my decisions on other people, and myself. Sometimes it is hard though because there are those in society that do not care, and those in society that do not forgive and forget. But I have to forgive myself and others if I want to have peace of mind. Life is a learning experience and doesn't come with answers already provided. So it is sorta like making the best of any given situation. Still I have my regrets in life.

I probably didn't answer your question, but might have given you some of my rationiel about my views on life.

Remember to forgive yourself.