I must really be on a crash course on guilt-free living because apparently, it was the subject of my last blog written a couple of weeks. That blog seems so far in the distant past that I forgot all about it, until I did a quick blog review, yet here I am again, still chipping away at the same old subject. I guess I must still have a lot to learn, because I have given myself yet another opportunity to practice what I preach. If you’re sick of reading about the subject of guilt, quick—push delete. If not, check out Inching Toward Freedom and read on.
Yesterday was a useless, do nothing sort of day that highlighted my lifelong tendency to enjoy life in the leisure lane and take care of business whenever the mood strikes. It was a day when I heard a few words emerge from my mouth that I later regretted. They weren’t the kind of negative, damaging, words that would slice through someone’s heart had they been heard, but still, they were not words worthy of a soul seeking to understand, heed, and express the concept of living a life of harmlessness.
It was the kind of day that invited guilt to move in and wipe out whatever enjoyment I might have experienced in my leisure. Guilt—the master thief of peace of mind.
This morning I woke up with the realization that I did not do anything wrong or guilt-worthy, but rather, I did something that I would think twice about doing again. It was a lesson, another learning opportunity to give me a choice about how and who I choose to be in this life. It was another chance to practice self-forgiveness and have compassion for my still-human ways rather than contempt. It offered a ‘what would Jesus do’ moment in which I was given another opportunity to get it right. Guilt—the master teacher of how to turn sins into blessings.
Guilt and sin are partners in the creation of insidious treachery that ruins the health and well-being of body, mind, and soul. They hide out deep within the psyche and strike when least expected, catching the vulnerable victim off guard, sending them into a downward spiral of negativity. I did something wrong, bad, unforgivable, I am a flawed human being, I deserve to be punished. I am a sinner therefore I am not worthy of happiness, or joy, or the love of God or anyone else.
Sin is a devastating word, in and of itself a guilt-producer. I prefer to use the word mistake instead. Is that a cop out? Am I letting myself off the guilt hook by telling myself that I made a mistake rather than a sin? Maybe. Sometimes it’s easier to correct a mistake than it is to forgive a sin. For that reason, I’ll always employ my lazy nature and take the easy way out.
The benefit of my do-nothing, lazy, selfish yesterday screams loudly in my ear. It gave me a reason to get up, get moving, and do better today than I did yesterday. It also gave me something to blog about after a two-week hiatus. With patience, diligence, and maybe a little help from my unseen friends, this will be the last blog I’ll ever be writing on the subject of guilt.
It seems to me that the extent to which I indulge in guilt is directly related to the extent to which I am practicing self-harmfulness. No thanks. I’d rather indulge myself in love and practice the art of harmlessness for all instead. I’ll keep working on it.
Hey Jules It really is okay to rest from blogging especially when the blogging is really for you. It’s like exercise. I do it every day and then I injure myself for walking too fast. Gotta rest now! So I only walked 1 day this week instead of 3 days. It’s the walking part that is the most strenuous, even though I do other exercises during the week. So, there you have it rest is as good as a change, my mother always said that. So take a vacation for you whenever you like, after all it is your life and you need to regenerate sometimes. I’m with you sister. Love you Pamela
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You are so right. I keep hearing the words, “Don’t be so hard on yourself.” It isn’t easy changing a life long habit! You keep on walking, I’ll keep on writing! God bless you dear friend! Love you!