June 15
Inner Growth Word of the Day: Guilt
Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition: (n.) 2 a. the state of one who has committed an offense especially consciously. 2 b. feelings of deserving blame especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy. 3. a feeling of deserving blame for offenses.
Guilt in a sentence: When you feel guilt it isn’t always because you did something you should blame yourself for, only you can know the truth behind your actions.
Guilt in action: When you feel you deserve blame for something that is guilt.
Guilt and inner growth: Exploring the feelings of guilt that you experience help you to take a look at the things you do and if there is actually something to blame yourself for or if you are feeling that you should be blamed for beliefs you have on the matter. This insight can help you resolve these areas that you hold against yourself when you shouldn’t and this brings about inner growth as you pursue resolving them within yourself.
Guilt and inner growth action steps:
- In-depth self-exploration questions: When was the first time I experienced guilt? How has guilt helped me treat others? What have I done when I’ve experienced guilt? What have I learned about life when guilt was present? Have I done things that are true to the guilt I feel? How has guilt affected my relationships?
- List or word bubble: Make a list or word bubble with guilt at the center and then list or put around it all the other words that come to mind associated with it. Next list three different times you experienced guilt and pick the one that stands out the most to you for how it affected your life. Use the words from your first list to write about this event in your life.
- Bring your awareness to your feelings about guilt and allow them to flow throughout you. As you do this keep your mind silent and focus solely on the emotions that you are experiencing. Notice if they go to specific areas of your body and stay there, and notice where they seem to stem from the most. Once you’re settled in and your feelings are clear, allow thoughts to come to mind and focus on the one thought that provokes the biggest emotional response. Allow it to express itself through the feelings it brings about and see what you uncover about those feelings.
Your turn – Share your guilt sentence, life examples, and inner growth action steps; and let me know if you’d like to see something added to our Inner Growth Word of The Day explorations 🙂
