We have all done things that we are not proud of. Perhaps we were not there for a friend when they needed us, or we may have been responsible for unhappiness in our family. These sorts of past actions can leave us feeling ashamed and guilty, and we can end up carrying our guilt for years. Guilt is probably one of the most debilitating and negative emotions there is — one that can, and often does, destroy a person’s life. But if we want to live happy lives, we need to deal with the consequences of our past actions and not allow our lives to be wracked with guilt. Feeling guilty should not be confused with taking responsibility for our past. Taking responsibility means that we actively address the consequences of our actions in whatever way we can, in particular changing our behavior patterns. Taking responsibility also includes moving on by making peace with the past.
