Although we have a saying, “Time heals all wounds,” that is not, in fact always the case. I’m sure that for some people unpleasant memories are shed like water off a duck’s back, but not for all. The most notable examples are those who have difficulty adjusting to a loss, like the death of a family member and those who regret their own behavior in the past. This is especially true of some who in wartime are compelled to adopt behavior which would be abhorrent to them at other times. A third memory that is hard for some to forget is suffering a grievous insult or injustice from another. In “A Tramp Abroad” Mark Twain wrote, “One should always "get even" in some way, else the sore place will go on hurting.” According to Rose Kennedy, the mother of former US President John F. Kennedy, ”It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” Apparently, our egos do not like to have anything taken away, or to suffer bruises to their importance or to have us face our animal nature.

Retaining your own words, I would make the following corrections. Many people believe the power of time helps a lot to forget those hurts they used to have in the past, and it could be the most important factor. Yes, it is true that some memories fade away as time goes on, which is called the power of time. But I think people's volition somehow plays an important part in the fading of memories. If people have really strong feelings for something or someone which they cherish a lot in their lives, if or they had really bad experiences ,which brought them lots of spiritual pains, and they never want to let it go, then I think this memory won't fade away easily over time, and quite the opposite, it would become stronger. So here I wonder is time still the most important part in the fading of memories? I got this question this morning when I was going to school on the bus. I'd like to share my question here and to know more opinions. There are different ways to write this paragraph. Here is mine. Many people believe that time is the most important factor in helping people forget painful memories from the past. It’s true that some memories fade away as time goes by. This is called the power of time. But I think that a person’s conscious choice plays an important part in the process. If people’s memories involve intense feelings for one who was very important in their lives or for experiences which caused them a lot of anguish, then I think that these memories will not fade away easily over time. Quite the contrary, they will persist. So I wonder if time is the most important factor in our discarding of old memories. This question came to me this morning as I was taking the bus to school. I’d like to share my thoughts and get other views on the subject. I used the verb “fade” less frequently than did you because, unlike the Chinese language, English usage tries to avoid repetition if possible.

desire to heal !

The rational system does not drive our feelings in any way, but may guide our experiences which thing in turn could lead to new feelings,and the fading of previous ones. A saying in my country goes like this: no one is capable of giving orders to the heart (feelings AND memories AND will). I only seldom rely on sayings (proverbs), but I find this particularly wise. Isn't there any hope ? Some hope is in this: having near you a friend, somebody whose life experiences are quite different, in a benign way; in the long run, this could trigger something in the emotional system, something like learning a new attitude towards life or changing our response to what affects us; it is a process that works both on the rational and on the emotional level, and is not fast; it relies on the truth that deep inside we are little more than monkeys always eager and happy to mimic others behaviours and feelings, once that we realize that these new life paths are more rewarding. The expression /never want to let go/ is quite misleading, and I doubt it could be honestly said by someone who suffered some uncommon and painful experience. Direct answer to your question: 1) other experiences, with a different algebric sign 2) hours, days, months, years (is there another name for all of these?), and then some more. But, if the memories are about injustice, only death (which I am only citing, NOT suggesting) could beat justice in the healing process.