"As far as how much was you..." She sets her mouth in a thoughtful line for a moment. "I know it's much easier said than done, but ... try not to focus on that. If you dwell too much on what happened, you'll just end up wrapped up in your own guilt, and that's never done anyone any good. Instead ... try to think of things you can do here which will show people the kind of person you really are. There's no quick fix for this, if you've really broken someone's trust or hurt them in some other way: they have to decide when they want to forgive you. Focus in this world, this time."

She gave him a patient, gentle smile, and hoped to God she wasn't sounding like some fakey Oprah's Book Club self-help pick. "The mind is a very powerful tool. The trick is learning how to use it to help you, not trip you up."