This was an interesting question that someone on Quora asked me. We all have times when we wish we could forget things that we said or did, or things that were said and done to us. In any case, this is how I answered the question:
One really can’t brainwash themselves to forget anything so far as I am aware. One tends to repress those memories that the conscious mind finds too emotionally difficult to handle.
I do believe that you are asking this question because you either did something that you feel guilt or shame about OR someone hurt you in some manner.
The best way to deal with it to let it go is to remember that there is no one on this planet who hasn’t made some mistakes along the way – some of them quite terrible – losing a ton of money in bad partnerships or investments, others having done things to land themselves in jail as some of the worst – yet, even in these situations what needs to occur is a sense of forgiveness.
Forgiveness comes when we realize that we all have the stories of our lives which brought us to where we are currently at. Realize that we are all doing the best we can with what we have at the time.
I know for myself I have done some really screwed up things in my past and it had much to do with lack of judgment due to my manic depression (that was what bipolar was known as at the time). I never used it as an excuse, so I did what I could to make up for that which I did wrong as best I could. But, I also didn’t shame myself for having an illness that I didn’t ask for. So, now many years later having been able to let go of it completely since 2004 through the help of my NLP trainer – I can see it as just something that occurred in my past and am much more helpful to those who also do strange things because of their illnesses, without judging them for the behavior. -as people are not their behavior.
It is the same thing when I think of others who have done me wrong. I had a situation when I left California where I had a very unstable roommate who destroyed my room after I left because the landlady wouldn’t let her move in there (away from the smoking on the deck outside the kitchen which was next to her room). I got charged for the damages she did (so lock your room before you leave if you have roommates where you currently life – an important side lesson). The thing here is that I was indeed very angry at the landlady because I had never done anything crazy and had no reason to do anything to reduce the security deposit I would be getting back – but she was really getting even with me for something I texted her by accident (be careful before hitting that ‘send” on your text) that was meant for my other roommate. At least that is my belief because she and I never go on well after that occurrence – yeah it was a rather large blunder.
What I realized was that these folks are doing the best they can do – still stuck in their various sad situations and I am no longer stuck there with them – so, let it go and send them white light and love for their own healing.
It is all only perception anyway, so it is best to have a perception that is helpful to one’s health and wellbeing than to continue to allow one’s mind to make them crazy, right.
Live in the present moment and these things of the past have no real impact. It is only when we are too focused on the past or the future that we allow our minds to make us crazy.
Thanks for the question on behalf of all those who will be reading it in future days.
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.