Past is Past

"Past is Past" is a so commonly used phrase.It got me thinking what people really mean when they say that. Maybe some mean "let's not talk about it", when confronted with memories they'd rather forget- suppressing their past. Others use it as a way of saying "I don't care who you were before, that's in the past". Now this one I find tricky. If the person was a thief for example, just got out of jail and now is courting you-doesn't his past matter??His past is too scary to be simply forgotten!His 'past' is still too recent. But then how about if that was ten years ago?He's been clean for the past 9 yrs, is his past, past?So the question is when can you safely say a person's past is past??It's a fact that your past would have and effect on you as a person, either for the good or bad-it matters!

Ok, let's not talk about criminals for a sec.How about if he's got a history of short-term relationships or she's notorious for being a 'heart-breaker' wouldn't knowing this change a lot?Or would you say-"past is past" and fall for the person anyway?That might be tragic!But how about if for the past few years that 'history' is broken?They've behaved.SO here's the dilemma-what's the time frame?How many years back should you count before you can determine which part of the past doesn't matter-when is past really past?