Guilt is Good?

Guilt is a confusing for many of us. Some define it as an important human experience that can lead to personal growth and the deepening of relationships. Others see it as overwhelming and destructive. A force that inhibits their ability to engage meaningfully with life. Which is it? It can be both, but only one of them is healthy and useful. The unhealthy form becomes very obvious when you begin to notice how totally out of proportion your guilt is to the thing that you have done (or not done). So much so that another person might say: “I don’t get what the big deal is..?” When you notice this you can trust that this guilt is based on how OTHERS made you feel and the message you internalized from it. It likely has very little to do with your own core values and commitments. Usually best ignored or if appropriate brought into alignment with those present values.