As the holidays and socializing continue to increase, I've noticed the topic of guilt coming up within myself and those around me. Here are some of my reflections:
Guilt makes everything about us, while gratitude opens us to connection and trust. Guilt traps us in external validation, driven by "shoulds"
that disconnect us from our authentic selves. Gratitude, on the other hand, is freeing—it invites us to receive with love.
When I speak of gratitude, I don’t mean only the easy, joyful moments. Gratitude also invites us to embrace the hard stuff—the times when boundaries aren’t respected or when words wound us. In these moments, gratitude becomes a deeper practice, helping us uncover the valuable lessons hidden within the discomfort.
By shifting from guilt to gratitude, we allow others the joy of giving. And giving isn’t limited to physical gifts; it can also be the gift of awareness, growth, or even soul-elevation. Gratitude trusts that whatever we are receiving, whether pleasant or challenging, comes from an intentional space. It creates room for connection and transformation, moving us beyond self-judgment into a space of mutual understanding and growth.
Here's an approach I use to reframe guilt into purposeful action:
Instead of seeing guilt as a punishment, view it as information: What is the guilt telling me about my values? Is it highlighting a genuine area for personal growth? Or is it just an automatic response to perceived external standards?
Make choices aligned with my values—even when it feels uncomfortable (because that’s where growth happens).
Act with intention rather than fear or external validation—and savor the lightness that follows (pun intended ).
Boom! Thank you, GUILT, for helping me tap into my authentic self even more.
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