So yesterday I was thinking about guilt and how it can rule our lives. Today I woke up still pondering that and then received this thought in my inbox which only affirmed for me that I needed to write about guilt and how we can move beyond it.
“If we don’t forgive ourselves for our mistakes, and others for the wounds they have inflicted upon us, we end up crippled with guilt. And the soul cannot grow under a blanket of guilt, because guilt is isolating, while growth is a gradual process of reconnection to ourselves, to other people, and to a larger whole.” — Joan Borysenko
What is guilt and how do we move beyond it? I have heard it said that guilt is a useless emotion. Is it really? Or is it one from which we can learn something more about ourselves? I feel that we can learn something from every single emotion that we have. Guilt only become become useless if we stay stuck in the misery of it. Guilt can help us to see where we may need to forgive ourselves and others and then move on to healing.
When we are feeling guilty is it because we are feeling responsible for others and how they feel? Is it because our inner truth and wisdom is taking us in an unexpected direction? Is it because we are hanging on to shame about past actions or words? It may very well be any of those things along with a myriad of other things. Whatever the reasons it is there we need to get to the root of it. Just like we pull weeds from our gardens we must also weed our souls. If we don’t the weeds will continue to grow and block out the light in our hearts that is meant to shine and be shared.
So how do we get unstuck and move beyond guilt so that we may experience peace, joy, contentment and love? How do we forgive things that we may not necessarily understand?
First we must acknowledge and accept what we are feeling. Then we must take the necessary actions to move beyond it – to HEAL. Some actions we may need to take might be to write our feelings down. We may need to speak to someone about our feelings or we may just need to pray about it asking for help and guidance. Once we have said our prayer and sent it out there to the universe or who or whatever it is you pray to, then we must sit quietly in meditation so that we are able to receive our answers. They always come although they may not always look as we had hoped or expected.
My thought is that guilt often originates from a place of FEAR. Either we are fearful that the direction our live is headed is not one which people will approve of or understand. Or maybe the fear comes from a place in which we feel the direction of our live is going to be painful and difficult for others, who our choices will impact. Or maybe we are hanging on to some of the things that we had said or done in our lives that we feel are just too horrible to be forgiven. Wherever it is that your guilt originates from face it with love and compassion so that in bringing it to light it may be healed. You may be healed and free to live your truth. The fact is we are not always going to make everyone happy. People are not always going to understand or approve of our choices. That is o.k. We are all here for a specific soul purpose and only we can determine what that is for us by tapping into and honouring our inner wisdom. The wisdom that has been with us since the beginning of this lifetime and quite possibly lifetimes past, depending on your beliefs. Our truth is unwavering and will always belong to us. It is up to us to decide what we are going to do with it.
We are not responsible for how others feel. Nor should we make decisions that are fear based. Fear that we won’t be understood or approved of. Our decisions need to come from a place of love and compassion for all. Especially ourselves. If we are honouring and trusting the wisdom of our hearts we will not be lead astray. When we are able to live from our hearts we can offer love and compassion to ourselves and those around us who will be affected by our choices. We can allow others to express what they need to in order for them to heal. Then we can let it go….
Any unexpressed emotion that we hang on to will be stored in our bodies and manifest as DIS-EASE. We need to be able to communicate openly and honestly in order to keep our bodies the physical, emotional and soul – healthy and vibrant. Don’t be afraid of the light that is within you. It is yours and yours alone. It is your birthright. Let it shine as it was meant to. Let go of any guilt or shame you are hanging on to over things that you have said or done. Let go of any fear or guilt you may have based on decisions you need to make in order to live your truth.
Forgive first and foremost yourself and then offer the gift of forgiveness to others. How well are you able to let go of the things and emotions that no longer serve your greatest good? Your ability to let go will be the determining factor to the level of peace, joy, love and contentment you will be able to experience. Free yourself and become all that you were meant to be because:
IN THE END WHAT MATTERS MOST IS
HOW WELL DID YOU LIVE
HOW WELL DID YOU LOVE
HOW WELL DID YOU LEARN TO LET GO
– Buddha
My wish for you today is that you are able to release those emotions and fears that either keep you stuck in the past or fearing the future. Your moment to shine is here and now, in the present. The present is all that we truly have so do what you must do in order for your soul to be free to experience the joy, peace, love and contentment now and always. Namaste.
AFFIRMATION: ALL IS WELL. I AM FREE TO BE ME!!
Love & light,
Lisa
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