Today, we are looking at guilt, why we feel it, and it's greater purpose to us. Guilt is not a fun emotion to feel, but we can always make it fun. In fact, guilt carries the keys to unlocking our inner values! If you choose to see it that way.
When we feel guilt, it is the evidence that we have morals; morals that we have just betrayed, leaving us with this feeling of guilt. What does guilt feel like? It may feel different to everyone but it closely resembles disappointment, but the most personal kind of disappointment; disappointment in one's self. When guilt enters the arena we are likely to question ourselves with life's major question: Am I a bad person? No! No, you are not. The evidence points to you being a very good person! Because you are experiencing guilt.
Guilt teaches us what we value and the kinds of morals we have. It is the quickest way to getting to the bottom of what we hold dear and the things that make us who we are. It is not the fun way to discover these things but it is the path with the most clarity. If you're wondering what your values are, the hardest way to discovering them is by breaking them. I implore you do not take this path and simply trust that you have values, and stick to them. But, as we are human, we make mistakes, and with that comes guilt.
Take the narcissist for example. Not that all narcissists are abusive, terrible people, but they do not experience guilt because something in their brain is constantly telling them that they are always right. It is their way or the highway, and they're clever about it! They will come up with all the excuses in the world for why they did what they did and make themselves out to be the victim. Every single time.
And I pity them for that because that means they cannot learn. Experiencing guilt is a teaching tool to discovering yourself and the narcissist is incapable of evolving in this way. I bring this up because everyone has narcissistic tendencies. Not everyone is a full-blown narcissist, only ever feeding off the control they have over their victims, but we all experience moments of narcissism and that's important to recognize in yourself so that your inner Spirit can fight back when your inner narcissist tries to speak up.
It is completely normal to try and resist feelings such as guilt, but then you miss out on unlocking the things that make up who you are. Guilt carries many keys; welcome it when it comes and learn something.
A fine example of guilt usually comes when we hurt others in some way. Whether it be emotionally, mentally, physically, or otherwise, a true character will experience guilt over causing harm to others. And when we experience this guilt over something we said or did or thought, we can pinpoint a value somewhere swimming around inside this guilt. If you just thought, wow that person looks like shit; you may immediately feel guilty for having that thought. You didn't say it! You just thought it! But guilt doesn't rest and it will come for you anyway.
So then take that experience of thought and change your thought pattern. Why am I judging this person for looking like shit? Instead of thinking this, maybe I should help. Guilt can also be an indicator to do better and shape the way we react in certain situations. You did not like experiencing judgement of others; it made you feel guilty. So, now you know that a value you have is to not judge a book by it's cover.
You can then further teach yourself to acknowledge these judgmental thoughts when they come, knowing they do not necessarily represent a belief you have, and change your behavior with them. Okay, so you value not judging people by their appearance, and you know this because when you had that thought, it made you feel icky. What can you do instead?
I can't answer all these questions for you as they take some deep self-exploration but this is a good start. Welcome guilt when it comes, know it is your evidence that you are inherently good, and accept the keys to unlocking inner wisdom about yourself and the values you hold.
Comentários