Going back over your own mistakes, asking yourself those painful questions and giving honest answers is a difficult, but cathartic experience.
We’ve all made mistakes in life, some more serious than others, but thinking them through, trying to explain why you made that decision at that point in time, makes you re-examine your own values. In my case, having changed through my Buddhist Practice, it also becomes clear that I would have made different decisions in many cases.
Our history is set in stone, we cannot go back and make those decisions anew. But we can try to make amends, apologise for any hurt we have caused, and, above all, be honest with ourselves and others.
The changes in myself, that I see and feel, the way I view life, and my responsibility for events affecting me and people around me, have come about through my Practice and my study of Nichiren Buddhism.
As I have said before, once you see things in a different light, you cannot undo that change. Nor would I want to, because even though I know I will make other mistakes in the future, I know that those mistakes will be made despite honourable intentions, and with a great deal more Wisdom, Courage and Compassion.
The Search For Enlightenment 
May 16, 2014 @ 13:43:31
The most difficult parts of my long retreats (harder than weeks of silence, aching back and knees, sleepless nights and 117-degree heat) involved facing myself about my past choices and considering the people I’d disappointed, hurt or lied to. Thanks for posting.
May 16, 2014 @ 14:33:16
When we accept our failings, we subject ourselves to the worst pain imaginable. Not just because it is self inflicted, but because, unless we forgive ourselves, it is never ending. Learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself, so you might move forward. Namaste ~ Anupadin